Tonight

Tonight- tobyMac (2010-07-26) : 3/5
After listening to 'City on our Knees', I was really looking forward to Tonight. I've always been a huge tobyMac fan; he was the first Christian musician I really listened to, and I love his music. Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy this release as much as his previous work. It does, however, have some great songs.br /First off, I don't like the synthesized sound many of the songs have; it reminds me too much of mainstream pop (when I heard the first few notes of 'Funky Jesus Music', it reminded me a bit of a Lady Gaga beat).br /br /Tonight (9/10): The title track, as well as the opening, this song grabbed me right off the bat. The lyrics are great, and the song has a great beat. Gotta love the guitar, too.br /br /Get Back Up (10/10): I first heard this on the radio, and even a couple months later, it hasn't lost its luster. It feels a lot like "I'm For You" from Portable Sounds, but I don't see it as a bad thing. The lyrics are amazing; the entire thing is just infused with hope and optimism.br /br /Funky Jesus Music (5/10): There's a part of me that wants to like this song. It's definitely fun to listen to. But I can't get past the lack of depth in the lyrics ('funky Jesus blazer'? Really?), and the song feels too artificial in its sound (again, it reminds me of Lady Gaga).br /br /City on Our Knees (6/10; Radio edit 10/10): It pains me to give this anything below a ten; the lyrics are just beautiful. But I feel like the balance of the instruments is just off in the album version; I have to listen to the radio edit if I'm going to listen to this song.br /br /Showstopper (3/10): I don't see why people like this song, except that it'd be a good party song. There's no depth to the lyrics, and there's no reference to Toby's faith apart from a couple lines in the bridge (unlike its predecessors, The Slam and Boomin'). Maybe I am being a prude, but I've gotten used to Toby combining great beats and honest, Christian lyrics; I can't stand the lack of depth here.br /br /Changed Forever (9/10): Love this song. Nirva, as usual, is putting that amazing voice to good use, and Toby does a great job, particularly on the bridge. Not really sure what to say; just go and listen to it!br /br /Hold On (5/10): My dislike of this song is probably just my own tastes; I don't like the style of the song, and I really don't like that Toby's using voice modification. Good lyrics, though.br /br /Loud 'n' Clear (7/10): Ah, it's been so cool listening to Truman change through his tracks. He's gotten pretty good at free-styling, and he's got a bright future ahead of him. I'll be very interested to see where he goes with his music.br /br /Hey Devil (8/10): This is pretty different compared to his usual stuff, but it's a catchy song. Definitely feels like a throwback to the older Newsboys and to dc Talk.br /br /Wonderin' (4/10): The lyrics are pretty good, but the music itself is, for lack of a better word, boring. Where's the hip-hop flair? Maybe it'll grow on me, but right now I just tend to skip this track.br /br /Captured (6/10): When I first listened to this, I kept waiting for a hook; it felt too quiet, too calm. I enjoy the lyrics, but I feel like the it should have the passion of 'Tonight' or 'Changed Forever' behind it. It was disappointing, but it's not a terrible song.br /br /Start Somewhere (8/10): Another good track. The style is a different from the rest of the songs on the album, and it's not a bad thing (love the horns). The lyrics are great, and I like the honesty behind them.br /br /Break Open the Sky (7/10): Toby goes reggae, and the result is pretty good. Israel did a good job, and as the song goes on, I feel like it just gets better. I'm normally not a big fan of reggae, but I actually enjoy this a lot more than I'd initially expected. The hidden track is pretty funny, too.br /br /Overall: 6.7/10br /It's not a horrible album, but a lot of the tracks don't have the drive I've come to associate with tobyMac. As another reviewer said, many of the tracks feel like b-sides. Many of these songs you'll either love, or you'll be turned off by 'em. I'd still recommend it; several of the songs are absolutely amazing, and you might find some of the other songs grow on you (that's what happened with Portable Sounds, so I might very well find myself liking some of the songs I rated low in this review).
Toby Rocks (2010-07-19) : 5/5
Toby gives the Chrisitian brother with s desire for some beats exactly what he needs.
Can't Stop Playing It! (2010-06-30) : 5/5
I'm 47, Mom of 1 and love this cd. br /br /Of all instruments, the bass is my favorite. I asked around about Christian-based music that had some funky basslines, and the name that kept coming up was TobyMac. My daughter and I really enjoy listening and singing along - and she's working out a dance routine to "Funky Jesus Music"! br /br /Thanks to Toby for putting out such fun and repeatedly listenable music -- the fact that it's got a positive message makes it even "more better", as my kid used to say. Can't wait to collect more of his work!
It's Alright (2010-06-13) : 3/5
Although Tobymac has had the most success of the three dcTalk members since their 'intermission', his music is still but a shadow of the greatness of his former group. br /br /As with his previous solo efforts, there are a couple of really good songs on this and much of the rest is simply ok.br /br /I think that 'Get Back Up' and 'City On Our Knees' are the class of this album. They are certainly worth buying, but digital copies of just those two would have worked for me. The rest of the album is certainly appropriate lyrically for any young listeners, but the sound just does not do much for me on the other songs.
The Best Yet!!!! (2010-05-31) : 5/5
Toby Mac is a very gifted artist. His music is very encoraging and inspiring.He keeps you dancing and yet gives you time to cool down. He's given me a totally diffent outlook on Christian rap.If you like to dance and are looking for inspiration don't miss out on this cd!!! It's FANTASTIC!!!!!!!