Surreal Press Release

As the song “Freedom” continues to be played and sung by people around the world, translated into some twenty languages, the band who created the tune can only smile. “It is a song of praise, a song intended to enable people of every age, gender, and race to be changed as they worship God”, says Mike Larson, the song’s writer and the band’s lead vocalist. This purpose, to be changed through worship, is why SURREAL does what they do, and they can only smile as they continue to experience Christ working through their music.

SURREAL was formed in 1997 under the name “Flood”. Their early years as a band were spent playing music throughout southern British Columbia, Canada. In 1999 they recorded an album (under the name “Flood”) with another local artist (Melanie Thiessen), under OL Productions, entitled The Well ‘99. Soon after, Mike Larson, Sam Heard, Jason Davies, Ben Cantelon, and Kris Wylie became known as SURREAL.

The album opened doors for SURREAL to travel and play through Alberta, British Columbia, Washington, and California (to name a few places). Through cutting-edge music, meaningful lyrics, and passionate performances SURREAL’s popularity increased throughout Western Canada and the Western United States. And it didn’t stop there.

Sparked by the popularity of “Freedom”, SURREAL embarked on a month long tour through Eastern Europe, holding concerts in Russia, Estonia, and Finland. “We feel like our dreams are coming true, and we thank God for each opportunity we have to use the gift of music to inspire, entertain, and worship”, says Larson, “It’s an exciting time”.

Their ‘dreams’ soon called for more to be done, and during the months before and after their European tour, SURREAL recorded their first full-length album, entitled Everything. Released in November of 2000, Everything contains four new versions of tracks from The Well, along with eight brand new scores.

SURREAL has matured into a group of extremely talented musicians with a truly extraordinary purpose. Their title track sums it up by asking a simple question and offering an honest answer: “What can I give to please Your heart?...my everything”.

Their music is energizing. Their purpose is powerful. It’s an exciting time indeed.

"Everything"

  A fresh release from one of the teams who delivered that live rocker of an album "The Well '99" is going to attract plenty of attention, given the full-throttled Gen-X vibrancy of that innovative disc. "Everything" meets all expectations - studio-recorded in Vancouver, BC, the sound from this 5-man team is everywhere strong, sharp and relevant.
  Four songs will be instantly familiar to lovers of "The Well"; striking songs all, and edgy too, save the more subdued flow of ex-member Scott Roger's gorgeous 'You're all I want'. 'Freedom' is of course the best-known of the four - the version here, though with a slightly different feel to the live original, is just as powerful. 'How can it be' is not a re-work of the old hymn of similar name, though, whilst an intriguing, vibey new composition, it does concur with Isaac Watt's awe at the incredibility of God's grace. Tunes like 'Come on in' and 'Hands of love' portray a deep yearning for more of God, the latter similar in mood and theme to Stuart Townend's profound 'How long'. Lead vocalist Mike Larson wrote most tunes,
sometimes co-penning with guitarist Jason Davies or keyboardist Ben Cantelon. Guitar breaks on several tracks are powerful and energizing, while Sam Heard's drums and loops also take great effect.
  An impressive 'solo' debut for this talented band of Christian communicators. If you like music that is 100% with it, at the same time being rich in spiritual content, then you could hardly go wrong with "Everything".

          'What can I give / What can I bring / To please your heart / My everything'

Review by tom lennie

  Released on the new Sixstepsrecords label and containing state-of-the-art packaging, a strong 'noise' of applause is destined for "The Noise We Make". Chris Tomlin is worship leader at the United Methodist Church, Woodlands,
Texas, and is best known for his three lead-vocal contributions to the Passion events "Better is One Day" and "The Road To OneDay". Indeed all three of these tunes, which includes the stirring title-track, are represented here. Chris has a great voice, being also a songsmith par excellence, often in conjunction with former band-member Jesse Reeves. He
provides not only some edgy contemporary worship in 'Forever' (great backing vocals) and 'America', but a touch of country flavour in Martin Smith's 'Happy song' (nice harmonica from Nathan Nockels, who, along with wife Christy, also does backing vocals throughout) and some gorgeously gentle ballads in 'Kindness', 'Need you now' and, especially, the highly intimate 'Captured', where the style is somewhat akin to the gentler side of Lincoln Brewster. Yet another highlight is UK's Matt Redman co-appearing on Chris's atmospheric adaptation of 'The wonderful cross' ('When I survey'), an
excellent re-working indeed.
  Guitar chords are provided to all songs, as is a personal 'note' from Mr. Tomlin. Great production, great music: this is class all the way!

Review by tom lennie

"Reverence" - Todd Proctor & Timber

  Begun in 1998 by Todd Proctor and vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Ryan Sharp, Timber's popularity quickly grew from small beginnings at Biola University to leading worship events throughout Orange County and up and down the West Coast of America. Now with several new members, Timber often travel without Todd, due to his position as a full-time worship pastor and equally full time husband and father! Yet his contribution to this project is very significant, having written 10 of the 13 songs and providing lead vocals/piano on some tracks.
  Great songs they are too, in an essentially acoustic setting (though with a folk-rock edge to several) - these are passionate songs of yearning for God, with excellent musical delivery and clear, focused production. Lead vocals are striking, enhanced on most tracks by effective harmony vcls and Tim Weed's charming string arrangements. Basically, all 13 tracks are note-worthy, but highlights to me include the opening 'All I need is You' (at 2.5 minutes, too short!), the steady yearning of 'Show us who You are', the acoustic poignancy of 'Beloved' (vocals and guitar by Jacob Van Auken)
and the tender ambiance of 'Take me home'. Mention too must be made of the delightfully infectious David Ruis cover 'Every move I make', here delivered in stomping hillbilly style and already receiving much radio attention.
  Basically, this album is every bit as classy as it's smart cover design. With music that is stirring, catchy, sensitive and intimate - you'll be totally unable to stop loving "Reverence" all the way.

Review by tom lennie

Songs:
  1.  Your Joy, Your Peace > Paul Booth
  2.  Open the Eyes of My Heart > Paul Oakley
  3.  All Around Your Throne > Paul Oakley
  4.  Holy, Holy > Phatfish
  5.  Heart of the Father > Paul Booth
  6.  Open Up the Gates of Heaven > Paul Oakley
  7.  Dare to Believe > Matt Hosier
  8.  We’re on a Mission > Paul Booth
  9.  Before Your People Worshipped You > Tree
10.  I Need You Now > Paul Oakley
11.  Spontaneous Song > Rhys Scott
12.  What Would I Do? > Phatfish
13.  Look What You’ve Done > Tree
14.  O Lord My God > Rhys Scott

$14.50

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