Album Review: Da Truth – “The Whole Truth”
Da T.R.U.T.H. – “The Whole Truth”
Release: 2011
Reviewed by: Neil Christian
Rating: 7.2 (Out of 10)
[xrr rating=7.2/10]
“I do solemnly and sincerely and truly declare and affirm that the evidence I shall give shall be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God.” This is the oath that rings out around our judicial courts when a person gives their testimony in a case to either indict or exonerate an entity. So in light of the past state of affairs concerning former Cross Movement artist, Da Truth, he has stepped up to give his testimony of the chain of events that transpired, to indict himself as the criminal that he really his, and in doing so, vindicate his master, Jesus Christ, who has taken the punishment that Emmanuel Lambert Jr. justly and righteously deserved for breaking the Holy Law of God.
This is a deeply personal album from the get go. Talking to the grand jury comprised of every listener, he starts by painfully recounting in vivid detail, the process of his failure on Lights. I first heard this song performed live in august last year and was driven to tears by the man’s passion and honesty. I could just keep talking about this song for the entirety of this review, as the rest of the album is an exposition of this song.
For example, take the Kelvin Wooten hewn title track, The Whole Truth sees Da Truth take a worshipful stance assisted by Mia Fieldes. A beautiful grand piano-tinged cut which sees Da Truth talking more about the background of his sin and points to Christ as the answer, with the chorus fittingly climaxing with words like,
“takes the bound, makes them free, takes the weak and makes them strong, all of my sins have been erased, he has lifted my disgrace, oh the joy that Jesus would make me whole.”
These are words that are a balm for the soul. Those who have been in a position of deep disgrace and sin, will connect with this song and I guarantee that, like me, you will walk away with hands lifted and tears running down the cheeks.
Lyrically Truth is back with some solid lyrics that are deceptively deep. Again you don’t have to drift far from the title track with contemplative lyrics such as these,
“the life in me is no crystal stair, but I just keep climbing coz the diamond is crystal clear, at times I’m quiet, get a chair, sit and stare, think about the way that sin affected my fiscal year, The tide is turning now I am shifting gears, though I’m weak he giving strength against the strength of tears”
Take a moment to read over those lyrics again. This is not lyricism, this is libretto. To be honest much of album is overwhelmingly profound and meditative.
Sonically, the project has great variety; with contributions from some of the great producers in CHH presently, such as JR, Lee Jerkins and IsRael Musiq, however it safely sticks in the realms of commercialism, much like his previous effort, which was well noted by my colleague. From the JR assisted cut that formed this haunting synth driven Lights, which crescendos at the chorus with a choir, to the Kelvin Wooten crafted rock tinged Impossible, this album does have something for everyone. However I just wish that Da Truth would have given us just one hip-hop song like he used to. Is it wishful thinking?
It’s easy to excuse the failures of this album, due to the subject matter at hand, but being one of the great artists that represent our brand, the blunders are even more enormous. The most glaring mistake is a house dance track which sees Da Truth singing, yes singing, and that with auto-tune. I Can’t Believe that just happened either. There are only a few who have managed to convincingly pull it off but Da Truth is not numbered with them. I refuse to acknowledge this song was made by the same guy who was star struck many years ago. These gaffes continue with Survivor, which sees Suzy Rock drop yet another mediocre verse and Sean Simmonds, who can clearly sing, decide to employ auto-tune again. I am going to give Truth the benefit of the doubt and assume that in his hiatus he didn’t know that auto-tune was dead.
This project is a deliberately reflective album from a lyrical standpoint. Despite all its failures, this album cannot be judged on just its Sonics and stanzas. The past two years must be taken into account. When done so, the album soars on the wings of grace. It will awaken some of you from your slumber and make you Alive, for some who are living down in the valley of anguish he will shed the Majestic Light of Christ, others who are living in the world will be challenged to get their brains washed, others who are walking the road of despair, the Truth shows you that there is Freedom and finally the Truth will transport you to the Throne of Grace where you will receive mercy and show you that you cannot live Without God. So finally let us stand with Emmanuel Lambert Jr., self-proclaimed Chief of Sinners, and shout from the rooftops the Whole Truth and nothing but Da Truth that Jesus Saves!!
Comprehensive Ratings:
1. Music – 5
2. Flow – 9
3. Creativity / Originality – 5
4. Relevancy – 8
5. Content & Character – 8
6. Credibility & Confidence – 8
7. Personality – 7
8. Presentation Quality –7
9. Overall Production Quality – 7
10. Potential Impact – 8
