Driven Quartet

Driven Quartet
Independent

Driven Quartet’s self-titled CD is one of the best nonlabel releases I’ve heard in a long time. The group sounds great from top to bottom, the tracks are excellent, and they included some terrific songs.

“Between The Rock And A Hard Place” hits you with all cylinders firing like a male quartet track should. The lyric is simple, effective and to the point. “I’m Pressing On” changes the mood considerably, developing slowly to a climactic moment before subsiding. The first half of “Let Me Live” is a showcase for bass singer Will Lane. Tenor Scott Penuel is featured on “Mercy Saw Me,” another balled in a classic style.

“Keep Drinking Water From The Well” has a big, full throttle quartet sound with a vocal arrangement that never gets stagnant. The lyrics are a bit lazy on this one, but otherwise, it’s a great song. “Lost And Found” dials the energy back a couple of notches. The third ballad on the CD is a remake of a Diamond Rio’s “In God We Still Trust,” a song combining a statement of faith with a patriotic message. Other song titles include “We Are Your Symphony,” “I Can Feel My Mountains Move” (bringing back the big wall of sound to good effect) and “The Story Of My Life.”

The vocals on this CD aren’t overly tweaked and adjusted. The mix captures details including the cello-like warmth of Will Lane’s vocal on the choruses of “I’m Pressing On.” Rick Salyer deserves recognition for a job well done on the mix.