Speak LifeExposed
Speak Life Productions (2012)
By Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog
Speak Life is a vocal quintet from Ohio
They call their sound “Christian Contemporary Urban Pop.” That is as explanatory as any adjective I could supply. Producer and vocalist Christopher Michael blends dance beats and hip hop with neo-soul and CCM melodicism. Speak Life’s amalgam of sounds fits with their multicultural, multi-denominational resume.
The group is at its most musically confident when at their energetic apex, as on “I Will Speak Life,” “Out the Bocks” (the strangest spelling of ‘box’ I’ve ever seen), “Not Addicted,” and the aptly-titled “Confidence.” “Inhabit This Praise” is a slower, more thoughtful piece, but its melody makes it the best track on the album. On the other hand, “Hide Me,” with Michael exhorting like James Fortune, is an interesting pick for single, because it is not as captivating as “Inhabit” or “Free,” which I will get to in a moment.
“I’m An Ex,” in both its regular and remix versions, has potential, as it is a clever conceit on freedom from one’s past iniquities, but I personally couldn’t get past the cry of “ex-homosexual” by one of the members. I will say this as delicately and discreetly as I can: I do not believe lyrics about sexual preference belong in gospel music.
If there is one song that sums up the group’s philosophy, it is “Free,” which contains echoes of Tom Petty’s “Free Falling” in its chorus. Here the group celebrates deliverance in a way that is calming yet straightforward.
Speak Life received the 2011 I Hear Music Award for Group of the Year and Youth Performers of the Year. The quintet has also been nominated for the 2013 Rhythm of Gospel Awards in seven different categories, including CD of the Year.
Three of Five Stars
Picks: “Inhabit This Praise.”
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Written by : Bob Marovich
Bob Marovich is a gospel music historian, author, and radio host. Founder of Journal of Gospel Music blog (formally The Black Gospel Blog) and producer of the Gospel Memories Radio Show.
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I would like to know why you feel that lyrics about homosexuality don’t belong in Gospel music? Do you not feel that homosexuality is a sin?
I don’t, Jay. I believe it’s not a choice and it’s not a sin. My feeling is that gay men and women have suffered enough over the years; there’s no need to disrespect them in sacred music.
there are alot of homosexuals in the Gospel industry as well as in the Christian faith and it is so offensive to go to praise God and then hear this homophobic slur….its hurtful…really hurtful!