Kevin Max - The Imposter Review

Artist: Kevin Max
Album: The Imposter
Record Company: Northern Records
Year: 2005
Genre: Modern Rock

Sounds Like: Part David Bowie, part U2, part dc Talk. It's a mixture of practically everything that is right with music.

Most people probably best remember Kevin Max from dc Talk, arguably the biggest band in Christian rock. Max did many of the tenor vocals in dc Talk's songs, including hits like "Colored People" and "Jesus Freak".

dc Talk, of course, took a break from recording music in 2001. Since then, all three members (tobyMac, Michael Tait and Max) have gone on to release new albums. tobyMac and Tait have had success in their post dc Talk ventures, but Max hasn't been so fortunate.

So does that mean Max is the least talented of the group? Nope, it's the exact opposite. After hearing "The Imposter", I am convinced that not only is Max the most talented member of dc Talk, but he is also one of the most talented Rock musicians alive. Being a very picky music fan myself, it takes a lot for me to make such a statement. But it's easy to say Max is an amazing musician after hearing this great album.

"The Imposter" kicks off with a song called "The Confessional Booth".In it, Max sings about various things. The music on the track is fantastic--a mix of modern rock and some slight techno. One of the standout tracks on the CD.

Next up is the self-titled song "The Imposter". Lyrically, it's pretty apparent that the song is about Max's failed marriage. Max talks about seeing this beautiful girl, falling in love with her, chasing her, marrying her and then watching the marriage collapse. Musically, it's again like a mix of techno and rock, although the techno is subtle.

Track three is a song called "Sanctuary". In it, Max talks about Heaven. This one is more of a straight up rocker.

Next up is "Beautiful Mind", a song Max wrote about an atheist friend of his. Max takes on his friend's perspective, talking about how God is in everything, but that can't make this person believe in Him. It's a piano-based ballad, but quite good.

"Jumpstart! Your Electric Heart!" is next. If you've heard the classic U2 CD "Achtung Baby", this song fits perfectly on there. It's part techno, part rock. Lyrically, it's all over the place. It's a great song and one of the best on the CD.

"Platform" is track 6 on the CD. It's another piano-based ballad done well. Max questions why God chose him to do what he does when he is so prone to making mistakes. Good song.

"The Royal Path of Life" is yet another great rock song on the CD. Lyrically, it's a bit crazy, but musically, it's straight-up rock.

"The Imposter's Song" is, like the previous track, a great straight-up rock song. In the song, Max tries to assure his girlfriend/now wife that she doesn't have to put on make-up to be beautiful, or to win him over. It's a great, encouraging song.

"Stay" is a different song. It's kinda like an acoustic, folky song. Like every other track on the CD, it's a good one with solid lyrics.

The last three tracks are all good. Among these is "When He Returns", a cover of Bob Dylan's classic song. Max does an excellent job of covering this song, and it's among the highlights on the CD.

Overall, I would say that this album is one of the best to come out in the past 5 years. Anyone and everyone needs to check it out, as if they don't, they are missing out on one of the best talents in rock music today.

Rating: 10/10