Christian Review Magazine Issue 3 - March 2015 | Page 62

MUSIC
REVIEW

Fact: Runaways is a record about
knowing what you're running from
and what you're running towards.

O
Artist:

SUMERLIN
Album:

RUNAWAYS (DELUXE
EDITION)
Rating:

Genre:

Hard Rock, Nu Metal, PopRock
For Fans Of:

Sent By Ravens, Decyfer
Down, Nine Lashes, Since
October, Seventh Day
Slumber
Label:

Dream Records
Reviewed by:

Christian St John
Release Date:

Available Now

62 > CHRISTIAN REVIEW MAGAZINE

n their website, Sumerlin that
they are a band that desires to be
culturally relevant as well a
spiritually significant. And like many other
faith based bands out there, their main
focus is to reach their listeners through
their music and lyrics. Listening to
Runaways I wouldn't at all be surprised if
they achieved just what they set out to do.
Sumerlin originally released Runaways as
12 track debut album in 2014. I must admit,
I missed the album the first time round (so
much music, so little time). So having
listened to this re-release I have to say that
I am suitably impressed.
The music on the first 12 tracks (which
make up the original Runaways album)
more than reminds me of music by bands
such as Nine Lashes, Decyfer Down, and
Sent By Ravens - Runaways was produced
by John Harrell who has previously worked
with Sent By Ravens. There is a raw energy
found in these songs that one rarely finds
on a debut album. Not only that, but it
should be obvious to any listener that the
band put a lot of passion and effort into
each and every one of the original 12
tracks.
Being a deluxe album, this re-release of
Runaways includes 5 new songs plus an

excellent acoustic version of Sumerlin’s
number 1 single “Breaking Out”. With
regards to the new tracks, I’m not sure why
Sumerlin didn’t just release these new
tracks as a stand alone EP - my main reason
for saying this is because the 5 new tracks
are quite a bit different, musically speaking,
from the 12 original tracks on Runaways.
Whereas the 12 original tracks are blend of
hard rock, nu metal, and power ballads, the
5 new tracks lean more towards a pop-rock
sound - the guitars are not as heavy, the
thundering bass is less up front, and the
vocals have been somewhat toned down.
However, when all is said and done,
Runaways Deluxe Edition is still a great
release. Fans will no doubt want to check
out the new tracks, and if like me you
missed this album last year, you might be
in for a pleasant surprise should you choose
to check it out. There’s guitar driven hard
rock loaded with anthemic choruses, guitar
crunching nu metal that incorporates some
good use of synth and keys, and thanks to
the 5 new tracks, some really good pop
rock.
Runaways Deluxe Edition is a great album
from Sumerlin, a band I will be keeping my
eyes on as they continue to rise through
the ranks of the Christian music scene.