Album Review: E. Daniel – “The Breaking Point”

Published on December 8, 2011

Released: 2011

Reviewed by: Ed Welch

Rating: 6.0 (Out of 10)

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E. Daniel brings an emotionally charged album titled The Breaking Point that most can relate to in some way or another.  This album looks to expose our need for God and how that need is magnified when we all come to that breaking point and we have no other option but to look to God and cry out.  I love the concept.

I Won’t Deny You – The intro has a good sound to it, but E Daniel’s voice messes up the smooth feel of the music.  The singer (Adriana) was not good.

Giving You My Heart – an “ok” worship song, reminiscent of a Marc Anthony song called “Hero” (You can take my breath away).

If I Fall – Another smooth song that is challenged by E. Daniels’ voice. I really like the hook and the overall feel of the song. E Daniels’ voice is just a tad bit too rough at times.

You Are For Me – Next he hits with a “remix” of Kari Jobe’s “You Are For Me”.  It’s kind of hard to go wrong with this selection…if you like worship music.

Mistakes – He mixes it up just in time with “Mistakes”. This is the first song that’s not slow. Unfortunately, the song starts out with a rap verse in Spanish. The hook is in Spanish too. Since I don’t know Spanish my brain pretty much zones out until E. Daniels comes with the 2nd verse. Even though I don’t understand a word of the chorus…it actually sounds nice. It’s catchy and it was sung pretty well.

Side note: E. Daniels has done absolutely nothing yet to grab my attention lyrically or even stylistically.

Here I Am – Back to slow worship. E. Daniels now gives us a Hip-Hop version of “Here I Am to Worship”. I can dig it…except now I’m really wondering, where is the unique creativity from E. Daniels? I’m not hearing much at this point. Almost all of the hooks are just worship songs you may or may not be familiar with.

The Name of Jesus – I really like this song…but I can’t help but wonder where this hook came from.  …Yup!  Natalie Grant sings this one.  …I still like it.  It’s calming and smooth and his voice is calmer and easier to deal with. This is one of my favorites on this project…unoriginal hook and all.

In the Desert – Ok, this is a total switch up! We went from worship to a poor man’s techno/dance song.  I actually really like techno music.  This song is “ok”. The hook didn’t really pull me in, but it’s not bad.  Another “remix”.

I Will Rise – Another slow worship remix. Chris Tomlin this time. The effect on E. Daniels’ voice on the bridge/3rd verse is horrible. Since I don’t want to listen to that I’ll take this time to say that E. Daniels has still failed to do anything lyrically that’s grabbed my attention.  Right now, trying to guess the next remix has taken 90% of my attention at this point.  Seriously, this is the high and low point of this entire album.  We don’t have a lot of worship in Hip-Hop.  It has increased a little bit in the past 5 years or so, but it’s still not a lot.  So, I’m not trying to bash the artist at all, just inform the masses so that you know what you’re getting.

Struggles –  …Yeah another slow song. But the percussion keeps it lively where “I Will Rise” failed.  This is another one of my favorites.

Outro – I really like the sample for this song.  I like the feel of the beat, and how the producer mixed the sample into the beat. Of course, outside of the sample it’s an instrumental…and this is one of my favorites on this album. I guess that’s not a good thing, because it lasts 2 minutes and this is one of the “songs” I would actually put on repeat. SMH…Ok, let’s wrap this up.

E. Daniels said that he wanted this album to be like Psalms with every song crying out to God and worshipping God. I really think he achieved his goal. I could definitely see hearts being softened and open to God from listening to this music. I feel E. Daniels passion, but his voice isn’t the best thing to listen to over an extended period of time. I would have really enjoyed if he put a little bit more musical creativity into this project. If you like worship music and hip-hop music, this album is actually a nice mixture with some proven bangers in the worship arena put to a Hip-Hop beat. But that is exactly what you get…nothing more, nothing less.  But hey, everybody is a critic.  I’m just the guy who wrote the review.  Peace and much love.

Ed Welch aka E Pluribus Unum

Music                           6.5

Flow                            7

Lyricism                       5

Content                        9

Creativity                      3

Credibility                     4

Personality                    4

Presentation                  6.5

Overall Production        8

Potential Impact            7

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