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Ten Shekel Shirt
“Jubilee”
Rounder Records
11 tracks @ 46:44
Grade = B-
This is shirts’ third release and first for Rounder as lead singer/songwriter Lamont Hiebert took time off to establish Love146. It’s a non-profit organization dedicated to help end child slavery and exploitation. Love146 earned the MySpace Impact Award for Social Justice.
Hiebert says, “Rescue agencies informed us that more child slaves could be rescued if there were more aftercare services. Thankfully, we have been able to make room for many more of these precious children by expanding the number of safehomes and trauma counselors. Love146 also funds effective prevention efforts in Southeast Asia making it harder for human traffickers to abduct children.”
As for his new record, the Canadian-born Hiebert says, “For me, rock, faith and justice are meant to go together. I had to make this record. The thoughts and emotions I’ve encountered over the past few years had to come out.”
Many of the songs here are positive and uplifting, full of redemption and hope; however, that source of hope is never mentioned. The record is very melodic.
I hope the edgy “It’s Slavery,” with its social message and “Daylight” become singles. I doubt conservative Christian radio will touch the latter.
- Rob S.