Album Review: Konviction “The Lazarus Experience” Vol. 1

Konviction “The Lazarus Experience” Vol. 1
Released: 2010
Reviewed By:  Oz’el Varese
Rating: 5.4 (of 10)
[xrr rating=5.4/10]

At first glance of the cover, you get at feel for what to expect from Konviction’s debut album, “The Lazarus Experience Vol. 1.” Set with a backdrop of a slummed, trash-filled alley, complete with overflowed dumpsters and the grimy markings of “hoodlum art” on the walls – Konviction stands with the reflection of the “old rugged cross” in the dark lens of his shades. This is clearly a reference to his testimony of leaving a wasted desecrated life behind him and heading toward the redemptive oasis of Christ’s work on Calvary.

Hailing from Central Florida, Konviction paints an auditory picture of his personal trek from sinner to saint over familiar southern/crunk style beats. Packed with gospel quotables, the album is refreshingly scripturally sound and centric. The album walks through Konviction’s personal conversion from reprobate (“Born to Die”) to redeemed (“Blood Bought”) to reborn (“He’s Alive”) to rejoicing (“Freedom”). In “Blood Bought,” Konviction explicitly claims his unworthiness while expressing his gratefulness in God’s grace and mercy. This track features “LU-I,” one of the members of Konviction’s camp “Triumfant Muzik” (www.triumfantmuzik.com).

Konviction and LU-I team up again on the trance driven “Full Court Press” pledging their allegiance to their continued path toward righteousness, regardless of adversity, suffering, and temptations from the worldly system. Other features introduce Astro, on the catchy hooked “We Go Hard,” as well as Pastor Geremy and Vessel on the albums only skit.

The album takes a break from the “derty-derty” and mellows out with R&B influenced tracks like “Runn’n” and “First Loved Me” featuring melodic vocals from Nikki. Konviction fittingly brings this chapter of his journey to an end with “Praise” featuring Michelle, filled with Psalmic phrases offering praise and glory to the One befitting.

Disappointingly, there is nothing fresh or ground-breaking here. Overall, the album flows in the direction and feel of the popular sounds of today’s familiar rap music, definitely appealing to the hypnotized ears of recognized reverberation. It’s no question that youth group meetings, Christian skate nights, and “holy” mp3 players will be rocking to records from this album. Musically, it is a very “safe” album. Upon hearing, my first impression was “Praise & Worship” meets “Rap” where your typical (though true) praise and worship catch phrases were combined and embedded over the radio alluring and mass appealing sounds of the south.
Konviction’s testimony is prevalent throughout the album, keeping a steady, though repetitive theme. What also stood out was Konviction’s clear and consistent scripturally themed dialogue, bringing the truths of the Bible to the ears and hearts of its listeners.

Comprehensive Ratings:

  • Music: 5 of 10
  • Flow / Delivery: 5 of 10
  • Lyricism: 2 of 10
  • Content: 8 of 10
  • Creativity / Originality / Relevancy: 3 of 10
  • Credibility / Confidence: 3 of 10
  • Personality / Character: 8 of 10
  • Presentation Quality: 7 of 10
  • Overall Production Quality: 6 of 10
  • Potential Impact: 3 of 10
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