P.O.D.: Testify
P.O.D. kicks off their latest rap-rock album, Testify, with “Roots in Stereo,� announcing that they have a message to share and that they’re willing to take it to the streets. Sonny sings that he will share the message of Jah’s love until his life is over, and his enthusiasm is uncontrollable. While examining the dying social existence around him, he encourages his listeners with the news that “redemption is on its way,� so share what they know because a “little light in a lot of darkness goes a long way.�In “Lights Out,� the band ‘reps’ itself to everyone who doubts, alluding to the end of the day when their score on the videogame will speak for itself, even when the store closes. The critics have had their chance to deride the band, but now the latest album is out and P.O.D. will represent itself.
“If You Could See Me Now� contains the human side of a conversation with an Other who is not present, as Sonny struggles with life and its hardships. He knows that he needs the Other and wants to proves that he can continue in what he’s doing. Sonny carries on conversations that seem directed at one who wronged him (hmm…an ex-bandmate maybe?) and with God as he continues the struggle between what is easy and what he is called to do. He adds to our vision of this conflict with “Sounds Like War� as “peace, love and harmony� war with his own nature inside of him
The harshness of the latest P.O.D. lyrics gets stepped up in “On The Grind,� as the group and its guests ‘battle rap’ for what they believe. They aren’t too modest but their straightforwardness blends well with the upbeat rock that their instruments play as well. In ways that “Jesus Walks� didn’t, “On the Grind� successfully navigates the journey of carrying the love of Jesus to the streets. The group seems devoted to taking their message back to the streets that they came from, and that’s a pretty encouraging mission.
That mission still raises questions that get published in “This Time� as Sonny asks if they’re where they need to be or if they have tired of looking in the right places? He used to run for different reasons but now runs to share the love he knows, because it is worth it and it might be his only chance. Rather boldly, P.O.D. extends this challenge to others in “Mistakes and Glories,� chanting “Sweep the Leg!/If you don’t stand for something/Sweep the leg!/Then you don’t stand for nothing.� The group’s earnestness is admirable as well, as the group’s mainstream vibe is widely accepted.
“Let You Down� is an open admission that the journey is tough—and certainly chock full of pitfalls when nightly appearing on stage to thousands of people. Channeling David the psalmist and Jamaican flavor, “Strength of My Life� clears up any doubts that the toughness of the journey will derail P.O.D. “Mark My Words� is a fiery, apocalyptic close (that references Narnia) and clearly shows the evangelistic fervor P.O.D. feels.
It’s obvious P.O.D. won’t be for everyone, but with hard-hitting sounds and lyrics, it’s tough to ignore their place in the music world today. And while they may very the clarity of their message from song to song, it’s obvious that they have a message and that they’re here to testify.
“If You Could See Me Now� contains the human side of a conversation with an Other who is not present, as Sonny struggles with life and its hardships. He knows that he needs the Other and wants to proves that he can continue in what he’s doing. Sonny carries on conversations that seem directed at one who wronged him (hmm…an ex-bandmate maybe?) and with God as he continues the struggle between what is easy and what he is called to do. He adds to our vision of this conflict with “Sounds Like War� as “peace, love and harmony� war with his own nature inside of him
The harshness of the latest P.O.D. lyrics gets stepped up in “On The Grind,� as the group and its guests ‘battle rap’ for what they believe. They aren’t too modest but their straightforwardness blends well with the upbeat rock that their instruments play as well. In ways that “Jesus Walks� didn’t, “On the Grind� successfully navigates the journey of carrying the love of Jesus to the streets. The group seems devoted to taking their message back to the streets that they came from, and that’s a pretty encouraging mission.
That mission still raises questions that get published in “This Time� as Sonny asks if they’re where they need to be or if they have tired of looking in the right places? He used to run for different reasons but now runs to share the love he knows, because it is worth it and it might be his only chance. Rather boldly, P.O.D. extends this challenge to others in “Mistakes and Glories,� chanting “Sweep the Leg!/If you don’t stand for something/Sweep the leg!/Then you don’t stand for nothing.� The group’s earnestness is admirable as well, as the group’s mainstream vibe is widely accepted.
“Let You Down� is an open admission that the journey is tough—and certainly chock full of pitfalls when nightly appearing on stage to thousands of people. Channeling David the psalmist and Jamaican flavor, “Strength of My Life� clears up any doubts that the toughness of the journey will derail P.O.D. “Mark My Words� is a fiery, apocalyptic close (that references Narnia) and clearly shows the evangelistic fervor P.O.D. feels.
It’s obvious P.O.D. won’t be for everyone, but with hard-hitting sounds and lyrics, it’s tough to ignore their place in the music world today. And while they may very the clarity of their message from song to song, it’s obvious that they have a message and that they’re here to testify.
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