Artist:
Pocket Full of Rocks
Album:
More Than Noise
Rating:
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewer: Alex Judge
The five piece
worship band Pocket Full of Rocks has released a new album full of some great
music to get you into that worshipful mindset. Having a good track record of
consistently writing songs that an audience can easily connect with, Pocket
Full of Rocks has some pretty high expectations to live up to. After self
producing their previous album, Manifesto, PFOR was presented with the chance
to have Ed Cash produce their new release, More Than Noise, and they jumped at
the opportunity.
PFOR is a fairly seasoned band with three albums released to date
and around 14 years of playing together and touring, and as such, their own
style is very evident. There is, though, a new twist, however subtle it may be,
that was brought about through the direction of Ed Cash. Most specifically, the
song “Let It Rain,” which has been recorded by Michael W. Smith and is played
in churches across America, has been rerecorded for this album with a new
ambient variation.
This album, which is
really a call for Christians to live their lives with purpose and make “more
than just noise” with their worship, has a good balance between upbeat and
reflective songs, cries from the heart and songs of praise and adoration. One
song will have you weeping with sorrow and repentance while the next will
change those sobs into tears of joy.
“Jesus Died My Soul To Save” is definitely a modern hymn that I
can see becoming a part of church worship bands’ repertoires across America.
Lyrically, this album is well written and contains words of healing,
restoration, righteous sorrow, joy, adoration, and praise. If you are a worship
leader looking for new material, this album is a must buy. If you are simply
looking for some good worship music to play at home or on the road, here is
some great material for you. Overall, the direction Pocket Full of Rocks took
with this album gets a thumbs up from me!
GMA Dove Award-nominated worship band Pocket Full of Rocks is releasing their third studio project More Than Noise on March 2, 2010. Helmed by award-winning producer Ed Cash (Chris Tomlin, Leeland, Bebo Norman), More Than Noise matches heartfelt lyrics and melodies with stellar production.
“We started recording with Ed Cash in the spring of ‘09, and it's always amazing to watch songs take on a life of their own,” says lead singer and songwriter Michael Farren. “Honestly, I cannot pick a favorite. ‘When Love Whispers Your Name’ was co-written with my daughter Madison, who also sings the backing vocals on the track...so you can imagine my fondness for that one. There is also ‘Come As You Are’, written with my friends Chad Cates and Tony Wood. This song has already had a profound effect as we've begun sharing it live. Another highlight would have to be the last-minute addition of ‘Let It Rain.’ This song was actually written back in 1999, but Ed heard it with fresh ears, and it has now taken on a whole new life as well!”
To kick off the new record, their first single “Alive” was the most added single at Christian AC for multiple weeks, with airplay on both KLOVE and Air 1. The single peaked in the Top 10 on the AC Christian radio, making more than 10,000 weekly audience impressions.
In conjunction with the release of More Than Noise, Big Fish FM is hosting a CD release concert in the band’s hometown of Texarkana, AR on March 12. Each ticket will include a copy of Pocket Full of Rocks’ new CD. For more information, visit www.bigfishfm.com.
Pocket Full of Rocks will also join 33Miles and newcomers Kimber Rising this spring for “The One Life Tour” sponsored by Christian humanitarian organization Food for the Hungry. The tour will visit approximately 30 cities between March and May 2010. Visit www.pocketfullrocks.com/tour for the most up-to-date tour information.
THE ONE LIFE TOUR SCHEDULE (all dates subject to change):
March 19 – New Berlin, WI (Milwaukee, WI) - Poplar Creek Church Cafe
March 20 – Milan, TN – Chapel Hill Baptist Church
March 24 – Ardmore, OK – Crystal Rock Cathedral
April 10 – Winnsboro, LA – Franklin Parish Catfish Festival
April 11 – Portland, TX – First Baptist Church
April 12 – Pharr, TX – Trinity Worship Center
April 16 – Lufkin, TX – Carpenter’s Way Church
April 17 – Ovilla, TX – Ovilla Road Baptist Church
April 22 – Richmond, KY – First Baptist Church
April 23 – Ashland, KY – Paramount Arts Center
April 24 – Madisonville, KY - TBD
May 1 – Oxford, NE – Southern Valley High School
Texarkana natives Pocket Full of Rocks will be returning to their hometown for the CD release show of their most highly anticipated album to date, More Than Noise. Featuring the hit single “Alive” and the worship favorite “Let It Rain”, the Ed Cash-produced project matches heartfelt lyrics and melodies with stellar production.
“We are so thrilled to be coming back to Texarkana for the hometown celebration of the release of our new album,” says frontman Michael Farren. “The people of Texarkana have been an amazing part of our ministry for so many years...and there is honestly no other event like coming back here and worshipping with all of you!”
Pocket Full of Rocks will be celebrating the release of More Than Noise on Friday, March 12 at Trinity Baptist Church with the show starting at 7:00 PM and doors opening at 6:00 PM. Sponsored by Big Fish FM, general admission tickets are $10 each and gold circle tickets are $27; both general admission and gold circle tickets include a copy of the More Than Noise CD. The five-piece band is excited to return to their hometown to share their new music as well as play a mix of previous songs and three songs with the Trinity Baptist Church Choir. Tickets can be purchased at http://www.bigfishfm.com.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE (January 11, 2010)— Myrrh Records’ five-piece worship-focused band Pocket Full of Rocks will be releasing their long awaited new project, More Than Noise on March 2, 2010. Featuring the rising single “Alive”, More Than Noise was produced by Dove Award-winning producer Ed Cash (Chris Tomlin, Steven Curtis Chapman, Bebo Norman). More Than Noise also includes a recording of “Let It Rain”, a worship standard in the contemporary church, written by frontman Michael Farren and made popular by Michael W. Smith.
Pocket Full of Rocks is currently on tour with 33 Miles and John Waller in preparation for the release of More Than Noise. The band will also be playing a handful of promotional dates with Meredith Andrews and Todd Agnew. Check the band’s official website for a complete list of tour dates (http://www.pocketfullofrocks.com). Additionally, the Dove Award-nominated band is offering fans the opportunity to pre-order More Than Noise on their website in a variety of unique packages featuring exclusive audio and video content for those who pre-order.
(Nashville, Tenn.) –Manifesto, the sophomore release from Dove Award-nominated worship group Pocket Full of Rocks, made its sales debut at #5 on SoundScan’s “Praise and Worship” chart amid solid reviews from fans and critics. The strong showing at retail follows an extensive promotional tour in support of Manifesto, the follow-up to their critically-acclaimed debut, Song to the King. The new project features a set of twelve new tracks produced by the band including their current radio single “Let the Worshippers Arise.”
Critics have embraced Manifesto, which has received rave reviews from publications such as Worship Leader Magazine which said, “If you embark with Manifesto, you will return with a new outlook and a life that has been changed. It will be worth your while.” Additionally, The Worshiper Magazine stated, “Passion and praise were both abundantly present on the Pocket Full of Rocks’ major label debut, and as is clear with ‘Who Is This King,’ their sophomore project is just as stirring.”
The group, featuring Michael Farren (lead vocals/guitar), Alisa Farren (vocals), David Rollins (drums), Jody Crump (bass) and Ryan Riggins (electric guitar), is widely known for their hit songs, including “Let It Rain” on Michael W. Smith’s Platinum-certified Worship album and “Let the Worshippers Arise, the title track for a recent Phillips, Craig and Dean release.
Pocket Full of Rocks is currently supporting the release of Manifesto with an extensive slate of worship conference appearances. For more information on Pocket Full of Rocks and Manifesto, visit www.pocketfullofrocks.com or www.myrrhworship.com
(Nashville, Tenn.) – Manifesto, the sophomore release from Dove Award-nominated worship group Pocket Full of Rocks, hits store shelves this week amid solid reviews from fans and critics. The project is the follow up to their critically-acclaimed debut, Song to the King, and features a set of twelve new tracks produced by the band including their current radio single “Let the Worshippers Arise.”
The group, featuring Michael Farren (lead vocals/guitar), Alisa Farren (vocals), David Rollins (drums), Jody Crump (bass) and Ryan Riggins (electric guitar), is widely known for their hit songs, including “Let It Rain” on Michael W. Smith’s Platinum-certified Worship album and “Let the Worshippers Arise, the title track for a recent Phillips, Craig and Dean release.
Pocket Full of Rocks is currently supporting the release of Manifesto with an extensive promotional tour as well as a slate of worship conference appearances.
