NGU Skyliner

Julie Cobb
Staff Writer

TobyMac delivers again with his fourth original studio album, Tonight, which hit stores Feb. 9. The CD features 17 tracks. Each has a unique flare that provides originality and charisma.

“Tonight,” “Get Back Up” and “Funky Jesus Music” are upbeat and demonstrate TobyMac’s ability to create different beats that continue to surprise listeners.

“City on Our Knees,” which reached number one on Billboard’s Hot Christian Songs Chart in October 2009, is the highlight of the CD. TobyMac’s singing is a refreshing yet sharp contrast to the rapping that listeners are used to from him.

“Hold On” and “Wonderin’” bring a mellow feel to the record and “Break Open the Sky” is a fascinating fusion of reggae and gospel.

TobyMac’s passion is evident in every song on this CD.

“The recording process means a lot to me, and I don’t approach what I do haphazardly,” he said on his website, www.tobymac.com.

“I have a lot of passion when it comes to my records. I don’t know if it’s good or bad, but there’s this range of emotions that come with making a record. Music is something that can actually open people’s minds to who God is. Music will never change the world, but God can choose to use music, and that’s what I count on.”

Tonight has already sold 78,000 units and has reached number six on Billboard’s 200 top selling albums across all genres.

“I want my songs to be said in a way that anyone can relate to them. I want them to move people’s lives forward, toward God, and if I’m accomplishing that, whether or not anyone loves this record, as long as I feel like that is what I’m doing, then I feel like my job is done,” he said.

Tonight is a great album filled with many surprises that leave the listener eager for more. TobyMac’s ability to include many genres and sounds into his songs makes him one of the best in the Christian music industry. His new CD is a declaration of his God-given talent.

Tags: Spring 2010, Vol. 110 - Issue 5

This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 24th, 2010 and is filed under Entertainment. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.