Review

Project 86 continue their trek of healing the schism between spirituality and the music industry with …And the Rest Will Follow, the fifth point to a pentacle of nearly unadulterated musical pleasure. After the change-up offered by Truthless Heroes and the acclaimed Songs to Burn Your Bridges By, however, the band seems to have returned from linear, electronically-induced variety to the hard-edged, riff driven, change-up style of their debut, Drawing Black Lines.

Lyrically, lead singer Andrew Schwab again looks to inspire through metaphors requiring a thorough listening and thoughtful interpretation. This is the most evident throwback to Drawing Black Lines because, while the previous two releases are almost entirely devoted to demanding truth, Follow is again expounding on it.

Unfortunately, most of the lyrics are difficult to understand without reading them, thanks in part to production mixing, but mostly to Schwab’s presentation. Much of the time Schwab sounds more like an adult in Charlie Brown’s world: “Whra wa wra wa wa.” A closer look at the words, however, will certainly strike a chord with anyone searching for truth and conviction, just not as blatantly as Schwab’s earlier work.

Randy Torres (guitar), Alex Albert (drums), and Steven Dail (bass) continue to create an atmosphere of urgency for Schwab’s lyrics. Torres in particular dishes out some ear-catching guitar lines, most evident in tracks like “All of Me” and “Subject to Change.” Side-note: check out Project’s “making-of” DVD Subject to Change, which gives some entertaining insight on how the bandmates put together an album.

Most songs on the album will please new listeners and veterans alike. “Sincerely, Ichabod” is a driving, throbbing anthem against the old lifestyle Christians constantly strive to separate themselves from. “All of Me” is one of the album’s most striking songs, asking God the life-long question, “Once and for all, can’t you take me?” And comparing “Cavity King” to Black Lines’ “P.S.” reveals a continuing conviction against destructive attitudes towards women.

“Subject to Change” might be considered the theme song to the album, exclaiming “Return, return, return.” On Project’s website, Schwab refers to the song, saying, “This chapter of our band is about growing up, becoming a man, and taking responsibility for who you are, who you have been.”

When compared to Project’s previous releases, one might consider …And the Rest Will Follow standard fare. Take it as a stand-alone piece and see the album for what it really is: solid and creative, provoking both the head and the heart to engage with the music.

Review by Stephen Elmer

4 out of 5