Reviewed by Paul S Ganney

Texas-based Abandon play rock with dance funk overtones though there are also clearly shades of Delirious? in the vocals (especially on "Help"). And it's hardly a surprise that there are U2-esque guitar sounds here too. It's all very well done - the clear vocals, the lifts into the choruses, the strong drumming. "Live It Out" and "S.O.S." will no doubt see whole fields/halls bouncing along joyously (and so they should). As the CD progresses, it slowly gains its own character, though. There are hints of Muse in there (some of the arpeggio'd keyboards and the distorted bass, for example) but gradually the melding of all these influences becomes the band's own sound. The tempo drops as well as it progresses, which to my taste is not so good, but it does allow the band some space in which to work. Overall, too many slower songs towards the tail end of the album took away from the energy of the opening cuts. If they could get that sorted out the rating of their next album could be even higher.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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In the two years since Abandon’s Forefront Records debut Searchlights, the San Antonio-based band scored a Dove nomination, throngs of critical acclaim and tours alongside Fireflight, Building 429, Remedy Drive, Teen Mania’s Acquire the Fire, plus a plethora of major faith-based festivals.

Amongst all the activity, the modern rockers crafted their sophomore CD Control, which finds the fivesome taking the next natural evolutionary musical step, while also turning inward for their greatest lyrical depth to date.

The thirteen tracks that comprise Control are oozing with examples of the group’s instant reliability and heart-on-sleeve vulnerability, despite all the interactions with success and fame since first starting as an indie act in 2005.

As the idea of Control continued popping up in the songwriting sessions, it was only natural for Abandon to follow suit with the album’s moniker. However, it’s more than merely a quick catch phrase that summarizes the thematic thread throughout the project, but also a chance for audiences to consider a handful of very pertinent rhetorical questions. “‘Are you in control or is God in control?’” the singer encourages fans to ponder. “We basically want people to come away with an answer to ‘who’s controlling your life?’ We’re not really looking for a quick answer, but more to challenge your perspective and to provoke thought and motivation. It’s brave to question where you’re at and search out your heart.”

Between members’ constantly developing faith, the project’s adventurous sonic ambition, and perhaps most importantly, everyone’s individual resignation of Control, Abandon is poised for its most active and effective season thus far.