Even Heroes Need a Parachute

Infobox Album
Name = Even Heroes Need a Parachute
Type = studio
Artist = This Beautiful Republic


Released = Start date|2007|04|3
Recorded =
Genre = Christian rock
Length = 38:33cite web |url=http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/EvenHeroesNeedAParachute.asp |title=This Beautiful Republic, "Even Heroes Need A Parachute" Review |publisher=Jesus Freak Hideout |accessdate=2008-08-01 |date=2007-03-31]
Label = ForeFront Records
Producer = Allen Salmon
Reviews = *Allmusic Rating|4|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:apfpxzy5ld0e link]
*"Christian Music Today" Rating|3.5|5 [http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/reviews/2007/evenheroesneed.html link]
Last album = "Casting Off EP" (2007)
This album = "Even Heroes Need a Parachute" (2007)
Next album = "Perceptions" (2008)

"Even Heroes Need a Parachute" is the first studio album by American Christian rock band This Beautiful Republic. It was released in the United States on April 3, 2007 through ForeFront Records.cite web |url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/discography/index.jsp?JSESSIONID=Ln1kLT1Jjp8kny7jWgnpHlQpZB79Lm7FtPvs1vQF7bsqWQ3yFQKQ!-1825686150&pid=833307&aid=902871 |title=This Beautiful Republic – Even Heroes Need a Parachute |work=Billboard |accessdate=2008-08-01] In mid 2007, it was also made available in European countries.

Background and release

In November 2006, ForeFront Records announced that they signed a record deal with This Beautiful Republic. "Even Heroes Need a Parachute" was produced by Allen Salmon, and mixed by Mark Needham.

The album was first released in the United States on April 3, 2007, and later in Europe during mid-2007. The band went on a three-week European tour in August 2007 to support its release.cite web |url=http://www.christiantoday.com/article/this.beautiful.republic.wraps.up.european.tour/13280.htm |title=This Beautiful Republic Wraps Up European Tour |work=Christian Today |date=2007-09-21 |accessdate=2008-08-02]

tyle and songwriting

Allmusic labeled "Even Heroes Need a Parachute"'s genre as "Alternative CCM", comparing its sound to rock bands Jimmy Eat World, Foo Fighters, and Anberlin.cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:apfpxzy5ld0e |title=Even Heroes Need a Parachute Review |publisher=Allmusic |accessdate=2008-08-01 |author=Jared Johnson] The album has also been described as having power pop influences, specifically on the track "Black Box".cite web |url=http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/reviews/2007/evenheroesneed.html |title=This Beautiful Republic – Even Heroes Need a Parachute |author=Russ Breimeier |work=Christian Music Today |accessdate=2008-08-04]

"Right Now" was co-written by fellow CCM artist Joy Williams.cite web |url=http://www.yourmusiczone.com/go/ymz/music_artist/this_beautiful_republic |title=This Beautiful Republic |publisher=YourMusicZone.com |accessdate=2008-08-01] All other tracks were written by the band members and producer Allen Salmon.

Lyrical themes

Lead singer Ben Olin said that the album's title was chosen to "emphasize the common ground that all humans share. No matter who you are or what you do, the need for a savior is vital. So we hope, beyond anything else, to show people this savior, Christ, and to give listeners a brush with eternity."cite web |url=http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/artists/thisbeautifulrepublic.html |title=This Beautiful Republic |work=Christian Music Today |accessdate=2008-08-01]

The song "Black Box" is an allegory between faith and passengers on a crashing plane, questioning their legacy and Christian faith. The song uses the analogy of a black box recording the events and choices in one's life; "Our black box is hearing the hope and the fearing/What will it say?"

ingles

The first single off the album was "Jesus to the World",cite web |url=http://www.al.com/bigspringjam/index.ssf/2007/09/friday_performer_bios.html |title=Friday performer bios |publisher=al.com |date=2007-09-26 |accessdate=2008-08-02] which was released in fall of 2006, being circulated and played across US radios by November 2006.cite web |url=http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/articles/news/Beautiful_Signing/24752/p1/ |title=Beautiful Signing |date=2006-11-13 |accessdate=2008-08-03 |publisher=crossrhythms.co.uk] The song "Black Box" was released as a single in mid 2007, becoming notably played on Christian rock radios in early September 2007.cite web |url=http://www.ccmmagazine.com/music/artist/this_beautiful_republic/browseT/11554690/ |title=This Beautiful Republic Wins Fans Abroad |date=September 2007 |accessdate=2008-08-01 |work=CCM Magazine] "Right Now" was also released to Christian radios in 2007.

Track listing

#"Casting Off" – 3:11
#"Going Under" – 3:36
#"Jesus to the World" – 3:31
#"Right Now" – 3:43
#"Black Box" – 3:18
#"The Surface" – 2:49
#"Let's Be Honest" – 3:32
#"New Year" – 3:32
#"Something to Deny" – 2:58
#"Fears and Failures" – 3:36
#"Cloud Cover" – 4:47

References