CD Review: 11th Hour – Silence The Stones

by | Oct 23, 2017 | CD Reviews, Reviews

Silence The Stones will hit retail on November 10, but you can go ahead and read all about it today!

Some of the best Southern Gospel trio CDs of the past few years have come from 11th Hour. Radio has agreed, sending four consecutive single releases to number one on the Singing News monthly airplay chart in 2016 and 2017. Will 11th Hour continue their string of hits with Silence The Stones? I can’t tell you that for certain, but I can tell you if their standard of excellence is being maintained. Read on!

“Doin’ What’s Right” is a rocking track with a wailing vocal and incidental harmonies on the choruses. The energy stays up for “God Will Deliver Me,” a bold guitar-driven anthem with some banjo sprinkled in for good measure. The mood turns soulful for a gospel waltz titled “I’d Like To Meet The Preacher,” the first song on the CD co-written by a member of 11th Hour (Amber Eppinette with Kenna West and Jason Cox). The gospel feel is extended to “I Want To Praise Him,” with some nice Hammond B3 organ work by Jason Webb.

“Hallelujah” has a great lyric, and there’s nothing at all wrong with the production quality or the performance. This piano ballad with an obligatory string orchestra is just different from the rest of the CD and not necessarily in a “blazing new musical ground” sort of way. The detour is only temporary, though.

The second half of Silence The Stones is similar to the first. Like “Doin’ What’s Right,” “I’ll Be The First One There” brings back the familiar driving rhythms that make 11th Hour stand out. Likewise, “Silence The Stones” pairs up well with “God Will Deliver Me.” “Power In Praise” isn’t another waltz rhythm, but it shares the soulful mood of “I’d Like To Meet The Preacher.” Eppinette co-wrote all three of these songs with Kenna West. Jason Cox also assisted on the first two, while Don Poythress and Donnie Skaggs lent their input to “Power In Prayer.”

“I Want You Beside Me” could have been drenched in orchestra strings, but 11th Hour keeps it simple with an electric piano setting the tone for the track. The B3 organ makes another appearance for “Let Grace In,” the only song on the CD written by 11th Hour member Jaquita Lindsey. This song has a timeless quality, and “the healing can’t begin until you let grace in” is a reminder we all need to hear from time to time.

11th Hour continues to set a high standard in performance, production, and song selection. Their fans should be well pleased with Silence The Stones.

PRODUCER: Jeff Collins
SONG TITLES: Doin’ What’s Right; God Will Deliver Me; I’d Like To Meet The Preacher; I Want To Praise Him; Hallelujah; I’ll Be The First One There; Silence The Stones; Power In Prayer; I Want You Beside Me; Let Grace In
RATING: 4 1/2 (scale of 1-5)

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David Bruce Murray

David Bruce Murray

David Bruce Murray is a church music director in Ellenboro, NC. He is the author of Murray's Encyclopedia Of Southern Gospel Music and the owner of both SGHistory.com and MusicScribe.com.

2 Comments

  1. Tad Kirkland

    I look forward to hearing this! How even are the solos from each member this time? Are they more even among the group like, say the Nelons, or more of a Karen Peck approach with Amber having more of the solos?

    Reply
    • David Bruce Murray

      They mix it up.

      Reply

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