Pillar: Confessions Review

Pillar. The Christian band that not many would know is a Christian band if they were simply listening to their music. Pillar, like Thousand Foot Krutch, has many albums, and there really is no general consensus as to which one is the best because they are all pretty balanced, each having their own strengths and weaknesses. This album is no different, but it doesn't really enhance their legacy. I'm not saying this album is bad; in fact, it is one of their stronger efforts, it just doesn't "wow" me like I was hoping it would, and as any music fan hopes a new record will. Pillar is very consistent and their sound stays pretty much the same, despite the additions of new a new bassist, Rich Gilliland, and a new drummer, Taylor Carroll. Rob Beckley's vocals are still very similar, alternating between regular rock singing/serenading and his own version of harder screeching and wailing, and guitarist Noah Henson can still tear it up, which is also similar to the previous five albums, so it's kind of harder to get extremely excited for this sixth effort unless you are comfortable with staying in the realm of the familiar. This group still rocks out with a vengeance and there are some good themes to their music, but its short length of only ten tracks keeps it from being anything extraordinary. It's good stuff, just not the most revolutionary thing in the world.
1. Fire On The Inside- In my opinion, this song shows a lot of promise but the chorus is kind of a letdown from the intensity of the guitar and drums in the beginning of the song. There is some solid rock out quality here, but the scheme of the chorus doesn't do it justice. Lyrically it is strong talking about the battle that rages between good and evil manifested through man's actions, but as Pillar tends to do, their music is so good and hard that the message will be lost on some. Not as epic as I would have liked because Pillar can do better, but this is still good work. The guitar solo near the end of the solo is very strong as well. 8.5/10
2. Whatever It Takes- This song starts off slow with the intention of building up into something more exciting, and this executed much better. The background vocals also add to the desperate message of the song. This is classic Pillar, and while I was not immediately astounded by this song, it definitely grew on me. There is a session of intensity with some screaming that is not seen that often from Beckley but it is done well and will be sure to please the harder fans. 9/10
3. Secrets And Regrets- The fan favorite of the album so far is more of a mellow song, which is surprising to me, but it is also undeniable that this is a great song. The transition from verses to chorus is not necessarily extravagant, but the chorus itself is solid and pleasing to a crowd. The guitar is also very interesting and will capture some attention. This is not the best song on the album in my opinion, but it is definitely up there, and the lyrics are definitely heartfelt and unique enough to be a sure hit with their fan base. 9.5/10
4. Better Off Now- The song prior to this one delved into more dramatic and mellow tones, this song is more of a bluesy rock song, with stringed instruments in the backdrop used to create a sad and yet uplifting mood. This is a song about trying to get over someone who still holds a special place in a person's heart, but weighs him/her down. This is surprisingly one of the more epic songs on the album when it gets to the crescendo of violins, guitar, and drums, along with Beckley's appropriate vocal intonation. This song is certainly heartfelt as well. 9.5/10
5. Not Without A Fight- A chilling guitar intro starts off a rocking song with great guitar/bass hooks and heavy drums that will quicken anyone's heartbeat. There is some background screaming, and while some may find the amount of screaming both in the background and by Beckley to be excessive, I think it adds to the intensity of the song. This is not a universal rocker, it definitely will only find its place among those lucky enough to appreciate it and find the correlation between the lyrics dripping with resilience and the harder musical presentation. That being said, I love this damn song, and it would fit in nicely with Need For Speed: Underground's soundtrack. I don't say that because I'm a dork, but because songs by Static-X and Lost Prophets on that game are like family here. The best song on the album. 9.5/10
6. Will You Be There- Piano, acoustic guitar, and violins start off a very slow song that is well reflected and enhanced by the softer vocals and the drums. This is a good song for those looking for something to relax them and calm them down. A very good, reflective, and meditative song that picks up a little more intensity near the end, but would be well-recommended for anyone looking for a song with a deeper meaning, profoundly contemplating on the relationship between man and God, or between man and woman as well. 9.5/10
7. Shine- A cover song of Collective Soul's "Shine", which sounds remarkably similar to the original if not for a few subtle differences and a great one that manifests itself later on in the song. This song is certainly stylish enough and one of the strongest tracks here, but it was kind of disappointing to me when I realized that out of only ten songs, nine of them are original. I feel like the wait for this new album should have been shorter based on what's being delivered, but this is still a good song. I would go into detail about how pleasant the lyrics and the guitar/bass/drums schemes are, but I wouldn't really be reviewing Pillar anymore. Except for the guitar solo. This is extremely different, and good Lord can Noah Henson play some guitar. This is what people listen to when they are inspired to pick up and instrument and pretend to be rockstars. This is a solid cover that enhances the song from the original in my opinion because I prefer this guitar solo and Beckley's vocals, but I can only get so excited about it. 9.5/10
8. Call To Action- Another hard rocker that kicks off with some fast-paced guitar and slower drums/vocals to give the idea that things are gonna get out of hand in a second...oh wait maybe it'll be a minute instead....ok here we go. Listeners will have to listen till the chorus for things to pick up a little bit and fulfill the anticipation created by the start, and even then I feel like somebody at the store who is not given as much change back as they should have: I may have only lost .75, but it's the principle of the matter. And .75 can buy me Taco Bell. This is a good song, just not as good as I was expecting. The end is pretty cool, and the lyrics once again feature the classic theme common among Christian rock bands of "Bring it on!....But I've actually got a good reason to be pissed off and resistant." Which is cool, but amidst the best of Pillar, this song will not find a home. 9/10
9. Lose It All- Another slow ballad that is more upbeat, which kind of diminished its value as well as the relevance of the lyrics in relation to the song as a whole. The guitar featured in small fragments as well as the violins displayed in a similar fashion are good accompaniments, especially at the end, but the whole concept of this song just comes up short for me. 8/10
10. You Are Not The End- The final track on the album (yes we are already there) starts off quickly and then slows down but has signs of picking up again, which are actually fully fulfilled this time around, with Beckley screaming out. This is a rock anthem unifying people against the imposition of another person's dominating will. The verses aren't really anything special, but the chorus makes this song interesting at the very least. This song doesn't really fit in with my definition of a closer track, but I guess with only ten tracks (one of them being a cover, three of them being slow songs), where else could it go? The song kind of ends abruptly, leaving me to be a little bit resentful that its already over and that it ended on such a random and bad note. Not that this song is bad, it's just not the appropriate ending, and it's not how I expected it to be. It's like breaking up with someone that was a nice relationship for awhile, but now you are bored: they say everything is fine and you can still be friends, but in reality, it's over for good, and that's not what you had intended to do. 9/10
Overall: 91/100
A very short album that satisfies any temporary Pillar cravings I might have had, but I will be anxiously awaiting the next album and hoping that Pillar comes through more thoroughly the next time around. This isn't bad work, and the score given certainly is respectable (even if there are only ten songs so the room for disparity between perfection and where they ended up is not as large), but one would think and hope at this point that Pillar would be able to crank out something truly epic as veterans of the harder Christian rock genre. Because that really is what Pillar does best: merging the gap between Christian music and rock music. A must for Pillar fans, but not necessarily rock fans in general, especially those low on cash. Well that's it for this week. Coming next week will be reviews for two highly anticipated releases: Breaking Benjamin and Paramore. Thanks for tuning in. Rock on.