NEEDTOBREATHE - OUT OF BODY
Rosie shares her thoughts on the latest NEEDTOBREATHE release, Out Of Body, and lets you know whether she thinks you should listen or not.
Country/rock trio NEEDTOBREATHE consists of Bear Rinehart, Seth Bolt and Josh Lovelace. Formed originally back in 1998, the boys have come miles since their debut Daylight. Now Grammy award and Billboard music awards nominated plus plenty of support from The Rolling Stone and Forbes, NEEDTOBREATHE have really established themselves in the rock n roll scene. From dominating grassroot venues to packing our arenas everywhere. Now refreshed and inspired from new experiences such as being a father for the first time, a pandemic and other obstacles, they’ve emerged with a brand new album.
A bouncy, acoustic guitar riff greets us in ‘Mercy’s Shore’, the opening track. Hearty and loud vocals sing over the top, often in harmony with backing vocals, mirroring the likes of Mumford & Sons and Florida Georgia Line but with more force blaring out the lyrics. “I see the light but never find the surface” ‘Mercy’s Shore’ is a metaphor for a journey about trying your hardest to get through tough times that seem like they will never end but you know that one day, you’ll reach the end of it and “wash up along the shore”.
Much of the theme for this album is about the freedom of being young in which Rinehart takes his inspiration from his children. ‘Looking at my sons, I’m constantly reminded to be in the moment…’ then the concept for ‘Alive’ blossomed. Electric guitar riffs and a fast bassline gets blood pumping around your body and the harmonised vocals paint a triumphant image of thrill-seeking adventures such as driving, your first kiss, and first concert etc. Rinhart’s lively vocals carry these uplifting lyrics as loud as they can be, I’ll get used to living with my feet off the ground”, testing his entire range and skill. “Teen love gets bad rap sometimes, but sometimes, but those emotions are as strong as any you’ll ever have…” ‘Alive’ definitely emphasises that.
‘A lot of what we do is based on harmony...we’ve been singing with each other since we were literally kids’, Bolt explains when asked about the making of Out Of Body. The team spirit and effort can be heard drastically in ‘Who Am I’ with a pumping drum rhythm, a mix of softly sung lyrics with the chorus belted out and simple piano chord progressions building up the verses. “I’m a train wreck, I’m a mess, you see the best and worst of me… I don’t understand where your love comes from.” Exploring the balance of the good and the bad in people and relationships with others, Reinhart and Bolt count their blessings to be loved for all that they are.
A triumphant, feel-good album bringing you back to your care- free child years and wondering if you could live like that again, like it’s your last day on earth. Well-written lyrics and powerful hearty vocals with uplifting rhythms and melodies are guaranteed to change your mood and outlook on the day ahead for the better.
Rosie Chalk
★★★★☆