NewYearsDayProject | a song a day blog

There had been hints and tendencies listeners could pick up on from earlier  Falling Up  records. There was the occasional strange word choice on  Crashings .  There was esoteric storytelling on  Dawn Escapes .  There were the made-up words on  Exit Lights ,  the remix record. And for the band’s third studio record on  BEC Recordings ,     Captiva ,  Falling Up delved into Greek mythology and science fiction.  But for the band’s fourth record,  Fangs!   Falling Up presented a full concept record without Bible verses in the album notes.  This time fully indulging in world-building. SOME OF US HAVE SEEN GOLDEN ARROWS POISED.  Working with frontman  Casey Crescenzo  of cult-status progressive indie band  The Dear Hunter , the sound on  Fangs!  steers the band away from the electronic and Nu Metal influence Falling Up had previously embraced. Before releasing the record, lead singer  Jessy Ribordy  shared the  story behind  the concept record. Ribordy explained that the story is a prologue

  Today we have another offering from Falling Up ’s Captiva , the transitional record between their mainstream Christian Rock career and their dive into pure lyrical experimentation. I believe that “ Maps ” was one of the last Christian Hit Radio (CHR) singles for the band. Christian Hit Radio was perhaps the least successful Christian music genre. The genre tried to parallel Top 40 pop stations, offering a mix of Christian hip hop, pop, adult contemporary, and rock. One of the best examples of the Christian Hit Radio stations was Air1 .   While Air1 still around, it now claims to be a “Worship Radio station.” ONE LAST HOUR BEFORE THIS PLACE IS ON FIRE.  In the early ‘00s, Christian Hit Radio stations, such as Air1, served as a place where listeners could hear the heavier Michael W. Smith and Rebecca St. James songs and the calmer P.O.D. and Anberlin songs. Air1 also played pop stars like early Jonas Brothers and Jordin Sparks as well as publicly Christian general market artists