New Music Reviews: July 2021 Releases

by | Aug 25, 2021 | CD Reviews, Reviews

Click HERE to listen to this album and other July 2021 releases.

Artist: Ernie Haase & Signature Sound
Album Title: Keeping On
Label: StowTown Records
Song Titles: Morning Song (Thank You Lord); Good To Be Home; Keep On Keeping On; I Know My Savior Cares; Terminal In The Sky; Make Us One; Overcome; Not That Far Behind You; Ready; The Ground Is Level; What He Says To Do; Good Friend; When We Fly Away Home; Wake Up
Release Date: July 23, 2021
Version Rated: YouTube Music
Rating: 4 1/2 Stars (scale of 1-5 Stars)

Since Dustin Doyle’s installment as lead singer in 2015, Keeping On is the fifth full-length album by Ernie Haase & Signature Sound (not counting previous albums that were retrofitted with Doyle’s vocals).

This album is all over the map, but in a good way. The Disney-esque orchestration that opens “Morning Song (Thank You Lord)” extends to a full minute before the vocals enter. “Good To Be Home” has a carefree attitude that reminded me of Michael W. Smith’s “For You” (1991). “Keep On Keeping On” is a methodical, but effective song of encouragement.

This group has never shied away from including whimsical elements in their music. The opening minute-plus instrumental introduction for “Terminal In The Sky” could be a Saturday morning cartoon soundtrack. There’s a shift in tone before the vocals are added. “Make Us One” continues the mood with zany Dixieland brass flourishes, a complex percussion bed, and a sizzling piano solo midway through.

Hopefully, the fun elements of “Terminal In The Sky” and “Make Us One” won’t distract from the more serious “Overcome” that follows. This is a strong solo for Devin McGlamery and an excellent lyric. “Not That Far Behind You” is a feature for Ernie Haase with a lighter feel. “Ready” ramps up the energy again. The cover of Beverly Lowry’s classic “The Ground Is Level” featuring bass singer Paul Harkey is one of this album’s highlights.

There are four more songs completing the album for a total of 14 tracks. My rating for Keeping On is 4 1/2 Stars.

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Archives

Categories

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.

6 Comments

  1. Chuck

    EH&SS is a very talented group. Not sure what makes this such a bad album… the poor song material or the weird production on many tracks. This just a goofy CD. Keep On Keeping On is the only cut I cared enough to buy. I wanted the album to be better… But it just isn’t.
    For me: 1 star out of 5

    Reply
  2. Tad Kirkland

    I loved it. I’m not a huge fan of the group but I appreciate their originality when so many male quartets sound the same with the same producers and writers.

    Reply
  3. Aaron Swain

    Dustin Doyle is the lead singer? I thought he was hired as baritone.

    Reply
    • David Bruce Murray

      What was conveyed to me at the time of his hire is that Doyle would become the lead singer with Devin shifting to baritone. Whether that’s how it has played out, I couldn’t say, and with it being six years ago, I can’t remember the source.

      Reply
  4. Aaron Swain

    In regards to the album itself, it really didn’t click with me the first time around compared to some of their other releases, but certain tracks have become earworms and I’ve come to appreciate the album more as time goes on. “Overcome” was the standout for me upon initial listening.

    Reply
  5. Ravenn

    I love the album! personally, i feel like this is one of the most unique albums EHSS has done…with the many different styles of music all in 1 album. also, 9 (I believe) of the songs were co-written by Ernie Haase. also Devin McGlamery co-wrote one. pretty cool!

    Reply

Tell us what you think!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Related Posts