MELODIC MIDWESTERNERS MERGE SWITCHFOOT AND FOO FIGHTERS
Hopkinsville, Kentucky, may not be the music industry mecca as say, Nashville, New York or Los Angeles, but the guys in Special D have no trouble keeping their finger on the pulse of what’s current, while simultaneously forging trends of tomorrow. The alt-rock foursome already boasts impressive opening act credits (like Skillet, tobyMac, Jars of Clay and Third Day) and also caught the prominent ear of producer Ainslie Grosser (MuteMath, Rebecca St. James), who inventively twirls the knobs on
Over and Over.
The results find charismatic front man Craig Felker and his cohorts turning in an incredibly inventive blend of raucous, Midwestern melodic rock, the surf-inspired sounds of Switchfoot and the ferocious guitars of Foo Fighters. The title cut is an immediate case in point, charging with militant riffs, seamless harmonies and just the right touch of electronic supplementation. “Monster” further explores those fiery licks with a slight dance peppering, but it’s all electric thunder come the hook heavy “Beautiful Mystery.”
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Though the band’s messages of boldly living out faith in a convoluted world are apparent on the more aggressive tracks, Special D’s spiritual roots can best be traced throughout the emotive ballad “Emmanuel,” which reminds us of God’s consistent presence in even the most complicated situation.
-- Andy Argyrakis