''Confessions'' is the sixth album, from the
Christian rock
Christian rock is a form of rock music that features lyrics focusing on matters of Christian faith, often with an emphasis on Jesus in Christianity, Jesus. This music is typically performed by Christians, Christian individuals. The extent to whi ...
band
Pillar
A column or pillar in architecture and structural engineering is a structural element that transmits, through compression, the weight of the structure above to other structural elements below. In other words, a column is a compression member. ...
. The album was released on September 22, 2009, by
Essential Records.
Musical style and concepts
Rob Beckley commented about the album, "I had never had goose bumps listening to our own music before, but this album is just on a whole different level. We're indebted to everyone who played a role in pushing us out of our comfort zones. And I couldn't be more proud of our band."
Beckley further describes the concept as, "1 John 1:9 says, 'If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.' Every song on this album could be broken down to 'If you just confess.'" Under this umbrella, recurring themes on Confessions include unity, commitment and perseverance.
When Blaine Barcus, VP of A&R, Provident Label Group talked about the album he spoke highly of it saying, "the album features songs which range from muscular, guitar-driven gut rock to beautiful, orchestral ballads. "Confessions is the kind of album that will make CHR radio listeners fans of rock music. The goal was that every single song on this album would be a great fit for radio, and I think the overall project reflects that goal. Rob and the guys poured themselves into the music and this project really delivers.”
Critical reception
''Confessions'' garnered mostly positive reception by eleven
music critics
Music journalism (or music criticism) is media criticism and reporting about music topics, including popular music, classical music, and traditional music. Journalists began writing about music in the eighteenth century, providing commentary on ...
.
At
AllMusic
AllMusic (previously known as All-Music Guide and AMG) is an American online database, online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on Musical artist, musicians and Mus ...
, Jared Johnson rated the album four-and-a-half stars, writing that "Pillar not just going through the motions but rather carving out a surprisingly intimate niche for themselves in the melodic rock world."
Graeme Crawford of
Cross Rhythms
Cross Rhythms is a Christian media organisation based in Stoke-on-Trent, England. It operates an FM and online radio station, produces radio shows sent internationally, and its website has resources about contemporary Christian music.
His ...
rated the album eight out of ten, calling it "not a groundbreaking album", but the band "retain their typical focus and deliver a strong album in their usual style."
At Jesus Freak Hideout, Kevin Hoskins rated the album four-and-a-half stars, noting how "it’s a great record" on which "Pillar serves up a notable change that comes out nicely."
Kevin Kempton of CM Spin rate the album nine out of ten, calling this "very typical to past Pillar releases" on which "there isn't a bad song on the album", and "There is a lot to love about Pillar's ''Confessions''."
At Louder Than the Music, Suzanne Physick rated the album four stars, saying that this is "a great album".
Thomas Jenkins of The Christian Manifesto rated the album three-and-a-half stars, stating that "final thoughts are most definitely positive."
At New Release Tuesday, Jonathan Francesco rated the album three stars, commenting that "Most of the songs had some high enjoyability to them".
Roger Gelwicks giving a second opinion review at Jesus Freak Hideout rated the album three stars, stating that the album is "unfortunately mostly a forgettable hard rock experience."
At ''
Christianity Today
''Christianity Today'' is an evangelical Christian media magazine founded in 1956 by Billy Graham. It is published by Christianity Today International based in Carol Stream, Illinois. ''The Washington Post'' calls ''Christianity Today'' "eva ...
'', Andrea Dawn Goforth rated the album three stars, noting the album is "cookie-cutter" on which "tunes feel uninspired and become filler between the better songs."
Rob Vischer of
Christian Broadcasting Network
The Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) is an American Christian media production and distribution organization. Founded in 1960 by Pat Robertson, it produces the long-running TV series ''The 700 Club'', co-produces the ongoing ''Superbook (198 ...
rated the album two-and-a-half spins, stating that "If mosh-pits and radio play measure success, Pillar's sixth album, ''Confessions'', will be quite smashing. Unfortunately, after the fist-pumping melodies end and the driving guitarmonies fade, there's not much there. Unwrapping this album is like going on a blind date with a gorgeous airhead. Looks good. Seems fun. But not very clever."
At The Phantom Tollbooth, Jerry Bolton rated the album zero tocks, cautioning that "''Confessions'' is a couple bad covers, a handful of flagrant unoriginality, and an earfull of sounds you've already heard elsewhere."
Track listing
# "Fire on the Inside" - 3:22
# "Whatever It Takes" - 3:52
# "
Secrets and Regrets" - 4:43
# "Better Off Now" - 3:26
# "Not Without a Fight" - 3:08
# "Will You Be There" - 3:53
# "
Shine" (
Collective Soul
Collective Soul is an American rock band originally from Stockbridge, Georgia. Now based in Atlanta, the group consists of the brothers Ed (lead vocalist) and Dean Roland (rhythm guitarist), Will Turpin (bassist), Johnny Rabb (drummer), a ...
Cover) - 4:38
# "Call to Action" (
Copper
Copper is a chemical element; it has symbol Cu (from Latin ) and atomic number 29. It is a soft, malleable, and ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. A freshly exposed surface of pure copper has a pinkish-orang ...
cover) - 3:48
# "Lose It All" - 3:29
# "You Are Not the End" - 3:35
Personnel
Pillar
* Rob Beckley - vocals, rhythm guitar
* Noah Henson - lead guitar
* Rich Gilliland - bass guitar
* Taylor Carrol - drums at the time of the album's release
Production
* Rob Graves – production, engineer, programmer, composer
*
Jasen Rauch
Jasen Ryan Rauch () (born April 24, 1981) is an American musician, songwriter and record producer. He is the current lead guitarist of the rock band Breaking Benjamin and was the former lead guitarist of the Christian rock band Red. Rauch was al ...
– programmer, composer
* Noah Henson – programmer
* Bobby Shin – engineer
* Mike Gilliland – engineer
* Rachel Sikkenga – engineer
* Andrew Meyer – engineer, digital editing
* Jim Cooper – engineer, digital editing
* Fred Paragano – engineer
* Sarah Vorhees – digital editing
* Brian Calhoon – digital editing
* David Davidson – string arranger
* Tony Palacios – mixing
* Tom Baker – mastering
Additional Personnel
* Rachel Sikkenga – backing vocals, additional backing vocals
* Jim Cooper – additional backing vocals
*
Joe Rickard
Joe Rickard (born April 12, 1987) is an American record producer, mixing engineer, and drummer. He was a member of the rock band Red from 2008 through 2014 and Swedish heavy metal band In Flames from 2016 through 2019. He then began primarily ...
– studio drummer
* John Catchings – cello
* Monisa Angell – viola
* David Davidson – violin
* David Angell – violin
Charts
Awards
In 2010, the album was nominated for a
Dove Award
A Dove Award is an accolade by the Gospel Music Association (GMA) of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the Christian music industry. The awards ceremonies presented annually and have been held in Nashville, Tennessee exce ...
for Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year at the
41st GMA Dove Awards
The 41st Annual GMA Dove Awards presentation was held on April 21, 2010 recognizing accomplishments of musicians for the year 2009. The show was held at The Opry Entertainment Complex in Nashville, Tennessee, and was hosted by Bart Millard.
Nom ...
.
41st Annual GMA Dove Awards nominees announced
on The Tennessean
''The Tennessean'' (known until 1972 as ''The Nashville Tennessean'') is a daily newspaper in Nashville, Tennessee. Its circulation area covers 39 counties in Middle Tennessee and eight counties in southern Kentucky. It is owned by Gannett, w ...
(February 18, 2010)
References
External links
Official website
Jesus Freak Hideout
{{Authority control
2009 albums
Albums produced by Rob Graves
Essential Records (Christian) albums
Pillar (band) albums