Oh, the controversy! Purists are looking for the crunchy guitars, big drums, monster hooks, ethereal soloing and urgency that defines true Rock 'N' Roll. "Don't soften my attitude - my wanton tendency to kick the amplifier and make it feedback my muscle shirt, sleeveless emotion. This is no time for the pansy named Synthesizer!"

Afterall, did not Eddie Van Halen's use of the keyboard synthesizer irk Diamond David Lee Roth so bad that he had to leave the band for a more 'pure' Rock 'N' Roll lifestyle? (These days DLR is adjusting his hair to cover the signs of age, except on the Sammy and Dave Tour where he's bleached it again. He also managed to get an over-the-counter tan on a body that resembles a vein-popping, battle-worn, over-the-hill pro wrestler) Did Steve Perry really do in Neil Schon's feel for gritty guitar and actually destroy Journey? Is Santana the last remaining purist? Who else will ride the Neil Young bandwagon? Why am I stuck discussing Live Aid icons and 80's hair band legends….? Am I watching too much Behind The Music?

When the new synths are added to the trusted formula of bombastic, organic white bread, there's usually a foul audio odor coming from the kitchen. Furthermore, the corporate cookie cutter has been tirelessly trying to make records only mothers and daughters could love. This process is especially true in the Christian industry, which seems to live on crumbs falling to the floor from the culture. There are exceptions, like, when a band releases its first record. The label gets them fresh, and usually repackages their first independent release or demo. This move saves money, and gets the new act on the festival circuit and perhaps to Europe, where there isn't a "gospel" industry like in the USA. At least that's what it looks like from the outside.

I really look forward to The Benjamin Gate's third CD. I pray for bands like The Rock 'N' Roll Worship Circus, AM Drive, Denison Marrs and others that are on the verge of real creativity and support to succeed. But I've really digressed now having gone on this wild assortment of disenchanting tangents. Wasn't I supposed to be talking about The Gravity Show?

Rev Emrae Jones (a.k.a. Michael J. Pritzl) keeps the organic, while adding the electronic. Pritzl is a former worship leader (Vineyard Ministries) and now songwriter and visionary of the ethereal, sometimes controversial organic "emo"- not in the modern meaning (except occasionally) - rock outfit, The Violet Burning. If you're a fan of The Violet Burning, you know that Pritzl's music pretty much reflects what's on his heart. There's a certain madness to it all - a vibe (at least 5 minutes long) - that takes you on an emotional ride expressed in sound, lyrics and dynamic range. Even Faith and Devotions of a Satellite Heart, where the intent was a traditional worship focus (i.e. songs meant to be sung to and about Jesus for the edification, encouragement and comfort of the believer) has all that Violet Burning passion and mood.

However, with the The Gravity Show CD, Fabulous Like You, the average song length is in three-minute plus range. Pritzl remarked during his Cornerstone press conference that, "God was calling me to an accessibility in my writing," leading him to focus on imagery, metaphors and pop song crafting that may relate much easier to the listener. The Gravity Show does that and more because creativity doesn't suffer in ordination. It's being relationally true as an artistic expression, even as the direction is out of the norm. The big guitars and epic arrangements that represent a great Violet Burning recording are not to be found.

What comes forth are pop songs for the consumptive culture that feature ambient synths, drum machine loops and affected vocals against driving rock n roll beats mixed with that basic bar chord guitar crunch and big bass sounds. The songs are lyrically tight in their verse and refrain construct. The bio doesn't lie. The first single on The Torch, "Rock 'N' Roll Star" (lead cut from Fabulous Like You), is a celebration of the uniqueness of a person created in the image of God, and that person taking what He has given until their destiny is fulfilled. At least, that is what I got from it. "Oooh yeah! You're a Rock N Roll Star."

Rev. Emrae does lean on his Violet Burning upbringing from time to time in the music. This parallel is typically true on slower songs like "Eraser" and "World Apart." Songs about the desperation to see relational connection that are trademark Pritzl. Then there's the composition, "Halo." A slow dance number that's not about love, but rather the tragedy of times in which we live. Pritzl tackles the need for comfort from Christ and one another in the suffering of an event that has shaken this country to its core. I found myself listening over and over not wanting the song to end. My grief was revisited and I found myself crying out for the Hope of Glory to come. I wanted to fly but was held captive by gravity. It was truly Organic.