| Expect The Impossible | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | February 26, 2008 | |||
| Genre | Power pop, pop punk, punk rock | |||
| Length | 32:41 | |||
| Label | Word | |||
| Producer | Ian Eskelin | |||
| Stellar Kart chronology | ||||
| ||||
Expect the Impossible is the third studio album from the Christian pop punk band, Stellar Kart. It was released on February 26, 2008 under Word Records. [1] [2]
The album was nominated for a Dove Award for Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year at the 40th GMA Dove Awards. [3] The song "Shine Like the Stars" was also nominated for Rock Recorded Song of the Year. [3]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [4] |
| Cross Rhythms |   [5] |
| Indie Vision Music |  [6] |
| Jesus Freak Hideout |  [7] |
| New Release Tuesday | [8] |
The album was generally positively received from most professional music sites and reviews, however multiple reviews also rated the album as average.
Jared Johnson of AllMusic optimistically stated the album "worked well, thanks to that same peppy charm that catapulted Good Charlotte and the All-American Rejects to the forefront. Unlike their secular counterparts, however, Stellar Kart had a substantive message to back up their studio optimism, rounding out the album with impressive calls to action on tunes like "Pray" and "Automatic." However long punk-pop would remain viable after its release, Expect the Impossible seemed to embody the best qualities of the genre." [4]
Jay Heilman of The Christian Music Review Blog warmly said: "I was really impressed with Expect the Impossible. I have to admit, the Christian punk scene has really lacked in the ‘message department’. I guess Christian music doesn't have to be about Christ anymore. The point is Stellar Kart delivers a great album balanced with great music and an equally great message. I would suggest this one to any who are looking for something cool to listen to and wants to be ministered to while be entertained. The lyrics are simple but yet effective in making the listener know what the band wants to say." [8]
On the flipside, Josh of Indie Vision Music plainly stated: "The inevitable single "Jesus Loves You" comes off as a gimmick trying to capitalize on the success of "Me and Jesus". Hopefully that wasn't the case but it’s how I took it. The album has a few good tracks but overall is a letdown and there are plenty of better pop punk/powerpop bands out there. Hopefully they'll learn their lesson and the label will allow them some room to grow. Otherwise we'll continue to get a very similar album each time. It does seem like the band tried to do some newer sounds but will never fulfill it fully while working and co-writing the majority of tracks with Eskelin. I can't say it enough. Working with new people, perhaps a producer who’s done lots of grittier punk would do this band wonders. They've got the pop thing covered but some edge will draw them a whole new crowd." [6] Spencer Priest of Jesus Freak Hideout went on to say: "It's bittersweet to listen to an album that has some great songs and takes some risks, yet at other times plays it too safe, because it's clear the band was capable of even more than it accomplished. Stellar Kart should please a wide audience with this release, but hopefully, if their sound continues to progress in a creative direction, we'll get more blockbusters on their next release and a few less sequels." [7] Nathan of New Release Tuesday remarked: "Agee wanted something for everyone including sounds from Linkin Park and Simple Plan. But that really didn’t bleed through as their quality wasn’t even close to them or their Christian peers like Hawk Nelson, Eleventyseven, or Everyday Sunday. After three albums Stellar Kart should be passed the stage that they have been in for a while now, and while the lyrics are more advanced, the music and themes are a little subpar on Expect the Impossible." [8] Finally, Mike Rimmer of Cross Rhythms frankly said: "Stellar Kart are to be applauded for their ministry direction and for attempting to stretch out their sound. However, the weakness is that some of Expect The Impossible sounds too much like songs I've heard before." [5]
"Jesus Loves You" was the first single off the release, and well as the tenth most-played song on R&R magazine's Christian CHR chart for 2008. [9] "Innocent", the second single off the release, followed a few months after the release of the album. [10]
All tracks are written by Adam Agee and Ian Eskelin, except where noted
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Innocent" | 2:57 | |
| 2. | "Automatic" | 2:49 | |
| 3. | "Jesus Loves You" | 3:06 | |
| 4. | "The Right One" | Adam Agee, Jordan Messer | 2:53 |
| 5. | "Sunshine" | 3:07 | |
| 6. | "Pray" | 3:01 | |
| 7. | "Shine Like the Stars" | 4:07 | |
| 8. | "Eyes" | 3:43 | |
| 9. | "I Give Up" | 2:51 | |
| 10. | "Letters" | Agee, Messer | 4:07 |
| Total length: | 32:41 | ||
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11. | "Centerfield" (originally performed by John Fogerty) | John Fogerty | 3:16 |
Stellar Kart
Additional personnel
Production
| Billboard Charts (2008) | Peak positions |
|---|---|
| Billboard 200 [11] | 66 |
| Billboard Alternative Albums [12] | 17 |
| Billboard Christian Albums [13] | 2 |
| Billboard Internet Albums [14] | 66 |
| Billboard Hot Christian Songs: "Jesus Loves You" [15] | 24 |
Newsboys are a Christian rock band founded in 1985 in Mooloolaba, Queensland, Australia, by Peter Furler and George Perdikis. Now based in Nashville, Tennessee, the band has released 17 studio albums, 6 of which have been certified gold. As of 2023, the band consists of lead vocalist Michael Tait, drummer and percussionist Duncan Phillips, keyboardist Jeff Frankenstein, electric guitarist Jody Davis, and bassist Adam Agee. In addition to performing music, the band has appeared in the films God's Not Dead, God's Not Dead 2, and God's Not Dead: A Light In Darkness.
Audio Adrenaline was an American Christian rock band that formed in 1986 at Kentucky Christian University in Grayson, Kentucky. The band gained recognition during the 1990s and received two Grammy Awards and multiple Dove Awards. Audio Adrenaline were regular performers at the annual Creation Festival, Spirit West Coast festival, Agape Music Festival, and Alive Festival. In 2007, the group disbanded due to lead singer Mark Stuart's spasmodic dysphonia. During this time, they released eight studio albums.
Stellar Kart was an American pop punk band from Phoenix, Arizona, signed to Inpop Records and Capitol Records. The band released their first album, All Gas. No Brake, in February 2005. Most of their singles have been accepted exclusively on Christian radio stations such as Air 1. Their song "Me and Jesus" from their 2006 album We Can't Stand Sitting Down hit No. 1 for seven weeks on the Hot Christian Songs chart and won the 2007 Dove Award for "Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song". Their song "Something Holy" from their 2010 album Everything Is Different Now, an album which adopts a more "worshipful" flavor charted at No. 23 on Billboard Magazine for eighteen weeks. Their latest full-length album, All In, was released on August 27, 2013.
All Gas. No Brake. is the debut release of the Christian pop punk band, Stellar Kart. The album was released February 15, 2005 under Word Records.
We Can't Stand Sitting Down is the second studio album by the Christian pop punk band, Stellar Kart. The album was officially released on July 25, 2006 under Word Entertainment records.
Fireflight is an American Christian rock band formed in Eustis, Florida, in 1999. The band was signed by Flicker Records.
Capital Lights was an American Christian pop rock band from Tulsa, Oklahoma. Formed in 2002 as Aftereight, the band changed its name after signing to Tooth & Nail Records in 2008. The group initially disbanded in 2009, but reunited in late 2010 until 2012.
Galactic Conquest is the second full-length album by the Christian pop punk band Eleventyseven. The album was released on September 4, 2007, through Flicker Records.
Life is Good: The Best of Stellar Kart is the first compilation and greatest hits album by the Christian pop punk band Stellar Kart. The album was released on April 21, 2009, under Word Records. The album includes the greatest hits of the band's career up to 2009, as well as some previously exclusive rarity and bonus tracks.
Our Heart's Hero is an American Christian pop rock band founded in 2004. The group's touring players include Nick Joyce, Jacob Lawrence, Caleb Conroy, and Tyler Wellman.
Everything is Different Now is the fourth studio album from the Christian pop punk band Stellar Kart. It was released on September 21, 2009, at the band's live shows, and globally released on March 9, 2010, under INO Records. The album also marks the band's departure from their long-time affiliation with Word Records.
Sidewalk Prophets is an American contemporary Christian music band from Nashville. Their album These Simple Truths contained the single "The Words I Would Say" which is also featured on WOW Hits 2010 and WOW Hits 2011. The group won the 2010 GMA Dove Award for New Artist of the Year.
Ian Eskelin, is a record producer, songwriter, solo artist, and founding member and lead singer of the Grammy-nominated Christian rock band All Star United, and president of recording and publishing company Radiate Music. He won the Dove Award for "Producer of the Year" in 2011 and 2008, and was nominated for the same award in 2007, 2009, 2010, and 2012. Eskelin also has received multiple Dove and Grammy nominations for his songwriting and production work working with artists such as Francesca Battistelli "Holy Spirit", 7eventh Time Down "God Is on the Move", Sidewalk Prophets, Chris August, and Hawk Nelson to name a few. As an artist and writer Eskelin has had more than fifty Top 10 singles in the United States, including 25 No. 1 charting songs. He has additionally had international No. 1 songs in various countries including Japan, Singapore, and Australia. Ian's songs have been licensed for use on major networks including ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, ESPN and feature films.
Fighter is the sixth studio album by the Christian rapper Manafest. It was released on April 10, 2012 under BEC Recordings. The album was, in majority, produced by Seth Mosley.
A Whole New World is an EP of cover songs by Christian pop punk band Stellar Kart. It was released on August 16, 2011 under Fair Trade Services. The album consists of Disney songs from the Disney films The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Beauty and The Beast, and Aladdin.
"Something Holy" is the first single by Stellar Kart from the album Everything Is Different Now, released on 9 March 2010. It peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Christian CHR charts for two weeks and remaining at number 23 for eighteen weeks.
Lights Out is the first studio album by the Christian contemporary Christian music band Silverline, which was released on April 9, 2013 by Dream Records, and the producer on the album was Ben Kasica.
All In is the fifth and final studio album by Christian punk/rock band Stellar Kart, which the album was released on August 23, 2013, by Inpop Records, and this was their first album with the label. This album was produced by Seth Mosley. The album has garnered critical acclamation, and saw some commercial charting success.
Rivers in the Wasteland is the fifth studio album by American Christian rock band Needtobreathe, released on April 15, 2014, through Atlantic Records, Curb Records and Word Records. The album was produced by the band along with Kevin Augunas, Ed Cash, Joe Chiccarelli and Jerrod Bettis at various studios.
Sound of the Saints is the tenth and final studio album by Audio Adrenaline and their only album to be released without any original members in the lineup. Fair Trade Services alongside Columbia Records released the album on May 4, 2015. Audio Adrenaline worked with Seth Mosley in the production of this album.
