Lines on “Wide Awake” speak out for the casualties of the Iraq war and Hurricane Katrina. On “Nothing Left to Say But Goodbye” lead singer Chris Cornell recalls being like a lost, hungry dog and expresses gratitude to his rescuer. Songs sympathize with victims of injustice (“Somedays”) and eulogize a dying industrial community (“Broken City”). “Sound of a Gun” condemns urban violence, contrasting it with youthful innocence (“My city playground is a battleground between the wrong and right”). Fearing for his family’s future, the singer prays in hopes of improving the “Shape of Things to Come.” “Revelations” notes, “In the afterlife we’ll reap.” A guy tired of getting burned learns from his mistakes on “Moth” (“I don’t fly around your fire anymore”).
Metaphorical remarks about murder and suicide (“One and the Same” and “Nothing Left to Say But Goodbye,” respectively) could be misinterpreted. A DVD includes two barely censored profanities.
After an iffy debut, this socially conscious band righted the ship with Out of Exile and continues its positive course here. With a dynamite rock/funk groove, Revelations refuses to don rose-colored glasses about the future, but there’s still a sense of hope.
After serving as an associate editor at NavPress’ Discipleship Journal and consulting editor for Current Thoughts and Trends, Adam now oversees the editing and publishing of Plugged In’s reviews as the site’s director. He and his wife, Jennifer, have three children. In their free time, the Holzes enjoy playing games, a variety of musical instruments, swimming and … watching movies.
