Kevin Max
Between the Fence & the Universe
Blind Thief Recordings
6 @ 23:44

When the three members of dc Talk went their solo ways (an official breakup has never been announced), each released a record with a clear identity. Michael Tait went straight ahead rock ‘n’ roll, tobyMac did hip hop while Kevin Max’s “Stereotype B” was arty. Due, no doubt, to low sales, Kevin was subsequently dropped from his label. I thought “Stereotype B” was a pretty cool record.

Kevin returns with an independent EP that should win listeners back.

“Seek” rocks and is inspired by Matthew 7:7 and Luke 11:9, “I know you’re the answer for the wizened, Seek and you will find.” “21st Century Darlings” would fit right in on a dc Talk record. “Stranded 72.5” sonically reminds me of, dare I say, The Go-Gos and contains some clever musings on life on the west coast. “Golden” is a trippy tour de force and would find a home on the Beatles “White Album.”

“To the Dearly Departed” is one of the stronger tracks. It has a 80s synth-pop sound and lyrics of hope and encouragement, “even though you may feel discarded, you’ve got a home.”

Kevin has since signed with another label. His is a voice worth listening to.

- Rob S.