Hawk Nelson "Crazy Love"

If you miss MxPx, are a fan of the approach that Relient K and House of Heroes have to their music, and like secular artists like New Found Glory and Simple Plan, among others, then this band might be your new favorite. You might even have Crazy Love for this record. If you haven’t heard of this band, then maybe it is time you listened to their music, because there is a lot to like; unless you are an atheist, then you may not appreciate the message. However, the majority of the songs are relatable to everybody, despite what your belief is; relatable to teens and young adults alike. “Tally Ho” is like drinking a red-bull in under two minutes; with a metallic edge toward the end. "Your Love is a Mystery,” but who this song is about could not be more clear. The auto-tuned anthem, and title track is has a killer opening, but the message of unconditional, some may call it “Crazy, Love” could be exactly what is needed to change this crazy world. The fourth song is a little more open-ended, but it can easily be led to believe that when he sings about “My Next Breath,” he means it is needed less than God. On a side note, it would be interesting to hear 311 cover this song. “We’re Alright” is a very upbeat tune that has ghost horns, a slight doo-wop edge, and harmonies ready for a modern update of The Wizard of Oz (with a little Green Day). This song is not a mere “Skeleton,” but a smorgasboard of sounds reminiscent of Plain White Ts, MxPx, and Blink 182 , but what band would call the cutthroat scream? “We Can Change The World,” but we need more than just an infectious inspirational song to do it; that sounds like MxPx and Simple Plan (at least vocally) working together. This next is what it sounds like, a little preachy, but we do only have “One Shot” to make this the best life we can have. So if you sleep most of your days away, you have no one to blame but yourself; because usually the choice is yours. They say that imitation is flattery, but this “Fraud” is ticking off his host; it is almost like an after school special scored by the climax with Blink-182 inspired vocal rounds. “Joanna” is supposed to be a break-up song with a close to breakneck pace, but is so upbeat and infectious you only see the rainbows instead of the tears that came before. Not many people like airports, and if they had necks, this sum 41-esque (early 2000 era) would be the perfect refrain to accompany your attempt to break it, after you land in “LAX,” of course. “Done Holding On” is a fine book mark to the anthem about getting everyone together, and keeps the quirkiness balanced with some sentimentality. The final song is directed to all fans, old and new, saying “Thank You For The Beautiful Memories,” and I could not think of a better way to show their gratitude.