Artist:  Needtobreathe
Title:  The Heat
Label:  Atlantic/Word

Needtobreathe is back in an attempt to best its stellar debut project, Daylight. Led by the brotherly tandem of vocalist Bear Rinehart and guitarist Bo Rinehart, this Southern rock influenced band avoids the so-called “sophomore slump” with relative ease.

Powered by strong melodies, rangy hooks, passionate, rasp-tinged vocals and a mix of American and European rock references, Needtobreathe focuses much of its attention on romantic love—both present and past tense. “Again,” for instance, is a mid-tempo acoustic number that’s ripe with poetic word pictures, oozing with the frustration caused by a one-sided relationship. “We Could Run Away,” a straightforward pop/rock tune layered with rhythmic grooves and electric guitar textures, pines for a second chance at love.

More so than the band’s first album, The Heat finds Needtobreathe allowing its deep-seeded faith to seep into a much larger portion of its material. “Streets of Gold” eloquently talks of death and the promise of heaven while “Signature of Divine (Yahweh)” is a straight-up worship song that might remind some of ’90s rock crooner Shawn Mullins. “Washed by the Water,” an autobiographical tune, finds the Rinehart brothers looking back at the impact their parents have made on not only their lives, but on the lives of many others through the ministry of example and the spoken Word.

With so many new bands jockeying for position in the shrinking world of commercial success, Needtobreathe is one of a handful that deserve extra special attention. The Heat will appeal to any fans of solid pop-driven rock music that features the rare combination of solid musicianship and lyrical genius.

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