Revelation is the ninth studio album by American Christian rock band Third Day, released on July 29, 2008. The album was produced by Howard Benson, who had decided to work with the band after rock singer Chris Daughtry drew attention to lead singer Mac Powell's vocal ability. Although they were initially uncomfortable working with Benson, Third Day achieved a positive working relationship with Benson, who felt that their different religious beliefs made them challenge each other in a way reflected in the record.
In recording Revelation, Third Day aimed to produce a southern rock album while being more creative musically; the band felt the result was their best record to date. As a whole, the album is noted as adopting a heavier and edgier rock sound than Third Day's previous adult contemporary-projects such as Wherever You Are (2005), while the album's lyrics reflect Christian themes. The album features guest appearances from Chris Daughtry, Lacey Mosley of alternative metal band Flyleaf, and pedal steel guitarist Robert Randolph.
Revelation received positive reviews from music critics. Although some expressed minor concerns about the short length of the album's songs and the quality of the record's second half as compared to its first, many critics regarded it as one of Third Day's best studio albums while others praised the guest appearances on the album. It won several awards at the 40th GMA Dove Awards while the song "Born Again" received multiple nominations at the 52nd Grammy Awards. Revelation debuted at number six on the Billboard 200, number two on the Rock Albums chart, and number one on the Christian Albums chart, selling a total of 75,000 copies in its first week. The album's four singles all performed successfully on Christian radio, three of them topping at least one Christian chart format. Revelation has been certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), signifying shipments of over 500,000 copies.
Third Day, intending to "shake things up", made some significant changes to its management prior to the production of Revelation. The band left Creative Trust Management and signed with Red Light, which represented such artists as Dave Matthews Band, Switchfoot, and Rodney Atkins. They also chose to work with mainstream producerHoward Benson, who had worked on projects with other bands that Third Day had enjoyed. Benson decided he wanted to work with Third Day after Chris Daughtry drew his attention to Mac Powell's vocal ability.[1] Benson, who is Jewish, said that he enjoys working with Christian artists such as Third Day because they believe in something. He added that their different religious beliefs prompted discussions about faith between himself and the band, which Benson said "comes out in the record because of the way I challenge them and they challenge me".[1] Third Day were initially uncomfortable at first working with Benson, as the band's achievements in the Christian music realm meant nothing in the world of mainstream record production. Despite the band's insecurity at the start, they appreciated the experience the end of the process.[1] The decision to use Benson led to the band recording the album in Los Angeles instead of Atlanta, Georgia.[1]
During production, Benson felt one recording session with Lacey Mosley of Flyleaf went beyond the ordinary to the point where he left the recording room and told Powell "You have to go out there, and you and her do this because you're coming to God right now in front of my eyes. You guys handle it". According to Benson, both he and Mosley were moved to tears by the session and Benson felt that something like that does not happen often in a recording studio.[1] In a separate session with Mosley, bassist Tai Anderson said that, after recording the end of the song "Run to You", Mosley said she could not believe she was recording with the band. Concerned that Mosley might have been pressured by her management team into doing the collaboration, Anderson said they told Mosley that she didn't have to do the recording. Mosley assuaged their concerns by telling the band that she was actually excited to be able to perform on their album as the band's music had helped her during a difficult period in her teenage years.[2]
With Revelation, Third Day aimed to give their fans a record with their southern rock sound while being more creative. The band said they pushed themselves hard for the record, pushing the album's release date back so they could work on lyrics and songs despite pressure from their label for a finished product.[3] They ultimately felt the album was among their best lyrically and "more than what fans were expecting [musically]".[3] The band's drummer, David Carr, acknowledged the cliche of a band member calling their latest effort their best one, but was confident that Revelation would be the best if all the band's previous efforts were compared.[3] Tai Anderson, the group's bassist, said they did not intend the album to be a mainstream record, pointing to the cross on the album's cover. However, he said that they didn't rule out the possibility of mainstream exposure.[4] After the album was complete, guitarist Brad Avery left the band.[1]
Chris Daughtry provided backing vocals on "Slow Down". Lacey Mosley provided backing vocals on "Run to You" and a duet on "Born Again". Robert Randolph provided pedal steel work on "Otherside". Scotty Wilbanks provided piano on "Revelation". Debbie Lurie created the string arrangement on "Let Me Love You"; the string track was recorded at Entourage Studios. Brad Avery provided additional guitar work.[5]
Revelation possesses a heavier, edgier rock sound than many of Third Day's previous albums, which leaned towards an adult contemporary sound; this is particularly noticeable when compared to 2005's Wherever You Are.[6] The opening track "This Is Who I Am" is a southern rock song seen by reviewers as demonstrating the band's confidence and security in their musical style. Its lyrics call for God to accept people for their flaws and make them better.[7][8][9] "Slow Down" is a rock song featuring backing vocals from Chris Daughtry of the rock band Daughtry and lyrics asking that God "pace our lives".[8][9][10][11] The first single from the album, "Call My Name", is a pop rock song,[8] while "Run to You" is a mid-tempo ballad set in 6 8 time.[9]
The title track addresses the uncertainty many Christians face in asking for God's intervention.[8] "Otherside" has a "bluesy" and southern rock sound with an accompaniment from pedal steel guitaristRobert Randolph.[7][8][9][10] "Let Me Love You" is a love song for humanity written from the perspective of God.[8][9] "I Will Always Be True" has a "jangly pop/rock style", while "Give Love" has influence from the folk music genre.[9] "Ready" has a distinct energetic sound closer to past ballads made by Third Day, and "Take It All" is an adult contemporary song combining electric and acoustic guitar work with lyrics emphasizing spiritual surrender.[9][11]
Packaging
The liner notes for Revelation state that the album art is "an artistic interpretation"[5] of Salvation Mountain, a monument created by Leonard Knight as "a public art project designed to send the message that 'God Loves Everyone'".[5] Located in Calipatria, California, the location is entered in the Congressional Record as a 'national treasure'. The album cover is of Salvation Mountain with the song titles of Revelation composed on it, "to send [Third Day's] own message of God's love to the world".[5] According to bassist Tai Anderson, the idea to use Salvation Mountain as the album cover art was lead vocalist Mac Powell's idea.[12] Anderson recalled that Third Day received critiques about the album art, with people claiming it ripped off the cover art of Radiohead's album Hail to the Thief (2003). Although he admits there "are similarities" between the two, Anderson denied that the band based the design off of "outside sources".[12] Anderson also said he was more concerned with the album art's coloring, as "red-skewed" album covers had been used by bands such as U2 and Green Day.[12] In hindsight, Anderson felt that the band "probably would have used one of the other images from the packaging on the cover just so we wouldn't have to read the one star critiques on iTunes which never reference the music, just the album cover".[12]
Reception to Revelation was positive, with some critics regarding the album as one of Third Day's best albums to date.[6][8][9][11] Andree Farias of Allmusic gave the album four out of five stars and commented that "Revelation finds Third Day trying new things, but not to the extent that they sound like a different band". He felt that the change of environment "intimidated [Third Day] for the better", making them not settle for "middle of the road" songs. He described the album's sound as "muscular" and "anthemic... unquestionably populist, yet the closest Third Day has come to replicating the Southern-fried goodness of Time". He regarded Revelation as "the best album Third Day has released this decade" and considered the album a return to the "unbridled fervor" Third Day was characterized by early in their career.[6]
Deborah Evans-Price of Billboard magazine described the album as "one of the best of the year"[10] and praised Mac Powell's vocals as "possessing just the right amount of gritty intensity combined with sweet Southern charm"[10] and as "equally effective on tender ballads like "Let Me Love You" and such hard-charging rockers as "This Is Who I Am".[10] Matt Conner of CCM Magazine gave Revelation four-and-a-half out of five stars, opining that "The production on Revelation showcases a seasoned band working with a new-yet-veteran producer in Howard Benson... And the results are perhaps the band's best work to date"[11] and praising the guest appearances by Chris Daughtry and Lacey Mosley.[11]
Russ Breimeier of Christianity Today commented that "I've heard lead singer Mac Powell and the others say that they put more blood and sweat into their tenth studio album than any previous effort. It's not just hyperbole, it's a Revelation, and it ranks with their best albums so far",[9] but noted that the album is "briskly paced with 13 songs in just 43 minutes; only the radio single "Call My Name" runs over 4 minutes. That's a good thing in that the album easily holds your attention from one lean song to another, but it deprives Third Day the opportunity to delve into longer instrumental jams or deeper lyrics about the conversations we share with God during the darker times in life".[9] Graeme Crawford of Cross Rhythms gave the album nine out of ten stars and opined that "the newly slimmed down band deliver a quality record that all Third Day fans will enjoy"[13] and that it "should be investigated by anyone with even a passing interest in rock music".[13]
John DiBiase of Jesus Freak Hideout gave Revelation four-and-a-half out of five stars and commented that "If the album doesn't grab the listener from Powell's soulful southern drawl and an accompanying acoustic before "This Is Who I Am" breaks wide open, closer attention to the words and themes that permeate the album should bring to light what is actually one of the strongest records so far this year" and stated that "Revelation is an honest, emotional, vulnerable, beautiful, and delicious southern rock record";[8] however, he also stated that "only fault [of Revelation] may be that its greatest strengths double as a minor weakness". He elaborated that the album's second half, despite consisting of "wonderful" songs that he wouldn't think to leave out, was slightly worse than the album's first half, which he characterized as having an edgier sound.[8] Debra Akins of Gospel Music Channel described Revelation as "a solid exclamation of who Third Day is musically, while underscoring the cultural relevancy they've continued to display over the years" and also praised the album as a whole, commenting that "there are no throw-away tracks on this CD, and that's a rarity in today's fast-paced, song-driven music industry".[7]
Four singles were released from Revelation. The lead single, "Call My Name", topped the BillboardHot Christian Songs for thirteen weeks and the Hot Christian AC chart for eleven weeks.[17][18] It also topped the Radio & Records Christian AC Indicator and Christian AC Monitored charts for eleven weeks, and the Radio & Records Christian CHR chart for six weeks.[19] "Call My Name" ranked second on the 2008 year-end Hot Christian Songs chart and third on the 2008 year-end Hot Christian AC chart as well at twenty-seventh on the decade-end Hot Christian Songs chart and thirty-sixth on the decade-end Hot Christian AC chart.[20][21][22][23]
The second single, the title track "Revelation", peaked at No. 3 on the Hot Christian Songs chart and at No. 1 on the Hot Christian AC chart; it became Third Day's eighth chart-topper on the latter, tying the record held by MercyMe.[24][25] It spent a total of six weeks atop that chart, and also peaked atop the Radio & Records Christian AC Monitored chart.[19][26] "Revelation" ranked fourteenth on the 2009 year-end Hot Christian Songs chart and seventh on the 2009 year-end Hot Christian AC chart, as well as thirty-second on the decade-end Hot Christian AC chart.[23][27][28] Released concurrently with "Revelation", "Run to You" was released to Christian CHR radio on September 16, 2008.[29] It peaked at number eight on the Radio & Records Christian CHR chart[30] and at number thirty on the Billboard Hot Christian Songs chart.[31]
The fourth and final single from the album, "Born Again", peaked at No. 3 on the Hot Christian Songs chart and at No. 4 on the Hot Christian AC chart.[32][33] It peaked atop the Billboard Christian AC Indicator chart, the band's third No. 1 single from Revelation and 27th overall, and at No. 10 on the Billboard Christian CHR chart.[33][34] "Born Again" ranked ninth on the 2009 year-end Hot Christian Songs chart and fourteenth on the 2009 year-end Hot Christian AC chart.[27][28]
Commercial performance
Revelation was released on July 29, 2008, and debuted at No. 6 on the Billboard 200, selling at total of 75,000 copies in its first week of sales.[35] It was their best week to date in both sales and chart position; their previous career high was when their 2005 album Wherever You Are debuted and peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard 200, selling a total of 63,000 copies.[35]Revelation also debuted at #1 on the Christian Albums chart, their fourth career number-one album on that chart,[35] at No. 2 on the Rock Albums chart, and at No. 6 on the Digital Albums chart.[36] In 2011, the album peaked at No. 3 on the Top Catalog Albums chart.[36]
Billboard magazine ranked Revelation as the sixth best-selling Christian album of 2008 and 2009, and the 50th best-selling Christian album of 2010.[37][38][39] It also ranked as the 151st best-selling album of 2009.[40] In August 2010, Revelation was certified Gold by the RIAA, signifying shipments of over 500,000 copies.[41][42]
Track listing
All lyrics are written by Mac Powell, unless otherwise noted; all music is composed by Third Day
Third Day was a Christian rock band formed in Marietta, Georgia in 1991. The band was founded by lead singer Mac Powell, guitarist Mark Lee and Billy Wilkins. The band's name is a reference to the biblical accounts of the resurrection of Jesus on the third day following his crucifixion. The band was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame on September 19, 2009. They have sold over 7 million albums in the United States and had 28 number one Christian album chart radio hits. Their fans are known as "Gomers" after a song on their second album about Gomer.
Christopher Adam Daughtry is an American singer, musician, actor, and comic book artist. He is the lead vocalist and a guitarist for the rock band Daughtry, which he formed after placing fourth on the fifth season of American Idol. Released by RCA Records, Daughtry's self-titled debut album became the fastest selling debut rock album in Nielsen SoundScan history, selling more than one million copies within five weeks of release, and music's top-selling album of 2007. The album was recorded before the band was officially formed, making him the only official member present on the album.
Daughtry is an American rock band formed and fronted by namesake Chris Daughtry, who was a finalist on the fifth season of American Idol. Their self-titled debut album was released in November 2006 and reached number one on the Billboard 200. The album went on to sell more than six million copies in the United States, and has been certified six times platinum by the RIAA. Daughtry was also named the best selling album of 2007 by Billboard, becoming the fastest-selling debut rock album in Nielsen SoundScan history. The album produced four top 20 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, including top five hits "It's Not Over" and "Home".
Daughtry is the debut album by American rock band Daughtry, released on November 21, 2006, by RCA Records. The band is fronted by American Idol fifth season-finalist Chris Daughtry. The release is the fastest-selling debut rock album in Soundscan history, the best-selling album of 2007, according to Billboard, and the band's highest-selling record.
"It's Not Over" is the debut single of American rock band Daughtry, taken from their self-titled debut studio album. It rose to number four on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified platinum in May 2007 by the RIAA. It was listed in the top 10 digital selling songs of 2007, and it was certified 2× platinum for digital sales in 2019.
"Home" is a 2007 song by American rock band Daughtry from their self-titled debut album. The song had been climbing up the U.S. charts for a few weeks before the song was announced as the second single from the album. The song was covered by Irish musician Kian Egan that served as the lead single from his debut album also titled Home.
"Over You" is the third mainstream single from Daughtry's first album, Daughtry. It was first announced by Chris Daughtry at Summerfest 2007, and was released July 24, 2007 to digital retailers as well as Top 40 and Adult Contemporary radio. "Over You" was written by Chris Daughtry and Brian Howes, who also co-wrote previous single, "What I Want". The song was originally rumored to be the second single having been voted the fans' choice for second single on a poll on the band's site, where it continuously received the most votes for favorite song from the album.
"Feels Like Tonight" is the fourth main single from American rock band Daughtry's debut album. The song is a power ballad in the vein of the band's previous hit, "Home". The official release date for the track in the U.S. was January 8, 2008.
Scars & Souvenirs is the third album by Canadian rock band Theory of a Deadman, and was released on April 1, 2008. It has so far been the band's most successful album to date and has spawned many hit singles. A special edition CD/DVD of the album was released on October 20, 2009. It features bonus and acoustic tracks, the band's entire video catalog, and numerous making-of and behind-the-scenes features. Bonus video includes "Haciendas," Tyler's special send-up of MTV's Cribs.
"What About Now" is the seventh single from American rock band Daughtry's self-titled debut album. The song is a ballad, that was written by Ben Moody, David Hodges, and Josh Hartzler, who is married to Amy Lee. It is one of only two songs on the album not at least co-written by Chris Daughtry. The song was announced as the band's next single on their website. It was officially released in the U.S. on July 1, 2008.
This is the discography of American rock band Daughtry. The band was created following the participation of singer Chris Daughtry in the fifth season of American Idol and has so far released six studio albums and an EP.
"No Surprise" is a song recorded by American rock band Daughtry for their second studio album, Leave This Town (2009). It was released May 6, 2009 as the album's lead single, and the band debuted the song on American Idol that night. Chris Daughtry wrote the song with Chad Kroeger, Joey Moi, Eric Dill, and Rune Westberg, while Howard Benson handled the production.
Leave This Town is the second album by the American rock band Daughtry, released on July 14, 2009, by RCA Records. It is the first album that they recorded as a band, as their self-titled debut album was recorded before the band was formed and only lead singer Chris Daughtry was signed to the label. It was also their last album to feature Joey Barnes on drums. The album's style is primarily arena rock, with influences ranging from hard rock to pop rock.
"Call My Name" is a song recorded by the Christian rock band Third Day. Written by Mac Powell and produced by Third Day, it was released as the lead single from the band's 2008 album Revelation through Essential Records. "Call My Name" has been considered a pop rock and "AC-friendly" song with a basic drum track and a "solid" melody. Lyrically, it has been alternately described as being set from the perspective of God or being a cry out to God.
"Until the Whole World Hears" is a song by Christian rock band Casting Crowns. Written by Mark Hall, Bernie Herms, Jason McArthur and Roger Glidewell and produced by Mark A. Miller, it was released as a digital download on August 20, 2009 and to Christian radio on August 29, 2009 as the lead single from the band's 2009 album of the same title. Musically, Until the Whole World Hears is an arena rock song with a crunchy guitar lick accompanied by blasting guitar chords and the "throaty growl" of Mark Hall's vocals. Lyrically, it revolves around speaking the truth into a culture that doesn't want to hear it. Part of the chorus references the Biblical character of John the Baptist.
Move is the tenth studio album by the Christian rock band Third Day. Released on October 19, 2010, the album was the band's first after guitarist Brad Avery left Third Day. The band wanted the album to be a departure from the modern rock stylings of Revelation (2008), intending to show more of their southern rock roots. Third Day chose to work with producer Paul Moak on the album and recorded it at their own studio, feeling it offered them more creative freedom. Primarily a southern rock album, Move also has significant influence from gospel music.
"Crawling Back to You" is a song from American rock band Daughtry's third studio album Break the Spell (2011). It was released on October 3, 2011 as the lead pop single and second overall single off the album. Chris Daughtry co-wrote the song with Marti Frederiksen, while Howard Benson served as the record's producer.
Break the Spell is the third studio album by American rock band Daughtry, released on November 21, 2011, by RCA Records. It is a follow-up to their platinum selling album Leave This Town in 2009. On December 15, the album was officially certified Gold.
"Born Again" is a song recorded by the Christian rock band Third Day and alternative metal singer Lacey Mosley. Written by Mac Powell and composed by Third Day, "Born Again" was released as the third and final single from Third Day's 2008 album Revelation. Musically, the song is a ballad featuring influences from the genres of folk music and pop music, while the song is lyrically a "study in self-examination and celebration of a life redeemed". It was included on the compilation album WOW Hits 2011.
You Are So Good to Me is a song co-written by Waterdeep's founding vocalist, guitarist and songwriter Don Chaffer; musician, author, and head of the Blue Renaissance Creative Group, Ben Pasley; and musician, author, and interior designer Robin Pasley. It has been recorded by Christian rock bands Waterdeep, Third Day, and many others. Released as a single from Third Day's 2003 album Offerings II: All I Have to Give, it was the inaugural No. single on the Billboard Hot Christian Songs chart.
↑ The following sources show confirmation of the weeks atop for "Call My Name". The first source indicates the first ten weeks, and the second source indicates the eleventh week:
"Hot Christian AC". Billboard. Vol.120, no.34. Applebaum, Howard. August 23, 2008. p.49. Retrieved January 25, 2012.
"Hot Christian AC". Billboard. Vol.120, no.36. Applebaum, Howard. September 6, 2008. p.49. Retrieved January 25, 2012.
↑ Levine, Robert, ed. (February 14, 2009). "Third vs. Mercy". Billboard. Vol.121, no.6. Applebaum, Howard. p.41. Retrieved January 22, 2012. Third Day ties the record for most No. 1s on the nearly 6-year old Hot Christian AC chart... as it rises from No. 2 to No. 1 with "Revelation". It is the group's eighth No. 1, matching MercyMe's sum.
↑ Levine, Robert, ed. (February 21, 2009). "Hot Christian AC". Billboard. Vol.121, no.7. Applebaum, Howard. p.49. Retrieved January 25, 2012.
↑ The following sources confirm peak positions for "Call My Name", "Revelation", and "Born Again" on the Hot Christian AC chart:
"Hot Christian AC". Billboard. Vol.120, no.30. Applebaum, Howard. July 26, 2008. p.73. Archived from the original on July 11, 2011. Retrieved January 22, 2012.
Levine, Robert, ed. (February 14, 2009). "Third vs. Mercy". Billboard. Vol.121, no.6. Applebaum, Howard. p.41. Retrieved January 22, 2012. Third Day ties the record for most No. 1s on the nearly 6-year old Hot Christian AC chart... as it rises from No. 2 to No. 1 with "Revelation". It is the group's eighth No. 1, matching MercyMe's sum.
"Hot Christian AC". Billboard. Vol.121, no.37. Applebaum, Howard. September 19, 2009. p.63. Retrieved January 22, 2012.
↑ The following sources confirm peak positions for "Call My Name", "Run to You", and "Born Again" on the Christian CHR chart:
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