Live From The Woods
Omnivore, 2024
8/10
The Southern rockers NEEDTOBREATHE were quickly rising the charts in 2014, and this performance on September 13, 2014 at The Woods Amphitheatre at Fontanel in Nashville, Tennessee sees the reissue treatment on double-CD (with bonus tracks) and double-LP (pressed on limited-edition ocean blue vinyl).
“State I’m In” opens with Bear Rinehart’s soaring voice and Randall Harris’ thumping drums making for a flowing, arena rock ready delivery, and it isn’t long until “Difference Maker” brings atmosphere to the evening with its intimate singing and Seth Bolt’s well timed bass.
Disc 1 exits with the warm acoustic guitar of “Wasteland”, where Josh Lovelace’s skilled keys help the tune build into a powerful moment, while “Keep Your Eyes Open” starts Disc 2 with a rich and meticulous Southern fueled rocker that’s dense and dynamic.
Deeper into the back half, the animated ideas of “Girl From Tennessee” swirls with an uncontainable energy, and “Devil’s Been Talkin”, a bonus track, exits with a gospel demeanor of grace, soul and their inimitable version of rock that’s been constant since 1999.
Long time fans will certainly find plenty to adore here, and for the first time listener there’s plenty to explore from one of most prolific and influential bands in the area of modern Christian rock.
Travels well with: Josh Lovelace- Shelters; NEEDTOBREATHE- Acoustic Live Vol. 1