By: Kevan Breitinger

Mainstay Become Who You Are BEC Recordings Rock 09-25-2007

SCORE 89%

 

When a new band’s groundswell support propels them into the quick acclaim that Mainstay has experienced, it can come with a lot of pressure and challenge. The success of Well Meaning Fiction led to a hectic tour schedule and two years of constant spiritual adjustments for the quartet. The boldly open songs of sophomore effort Become Who You Are reveal much of that journey.  

Right from jump they go deep, sharing in gleaming opener “She Moves” the story of a sister’s miscarriage and her amazing faith. Anderson’s airborne vocals express the power of her witness forcefully over rock solid drums that display the same strength. It’s a potent one-two punch and a strong start, with ambient praise track, “The Stars Are Singing,” a perfect chaser.  

Become Who You Are is very message-oriented without giving up an iota of sonic power. Piano ballad “Where Your Heart Belongs” leads directly to the cross, and its strong encouragement will be helpful for those struggling with loneliness. Many of these 13 tracks come across as a soothing balm, rich in spiritual healing. Mainstay took the struggles of the past two year’s heightened challenges, and wrung from them songs of compassionate identification. The soft guitars and melodic movements of “Island,” drawn partially from Hemingway’s “For Whom The Bell Tolls,” are delivered with great sincerity and empathy.   

There’s really not a loser track in the bunch, from the in-your-face challenge of the energetic “Am I Keeping You?,” pleading for God’s perspective, to the wisely intuitive “When You Come Down,” reminding us through jangly guitars to keep an eye on the sky. The melodic intensity of worship ballad “Only One” grabs you by the throat, an iron fist in a velvet glove. “Believe,” a moving song of declaration, highlights Anderson’s wide vocal range, while the dramatic “Don’t I Look the Same” is reminiscent of Delirious? in its majestic guitar movements and subtle confrontation. But the standout track has to be the potent closer, “Hang On,” as Anderson’s vocals slip-slide effortlessly through a wide range of both sound and feeling. The spare piano parts add drama to the boldly honest assessment of the state of the church today.  

Become Who You Are is fully charged, a solid follow-up; I anticipate some more success adjustments ahead for the Mainstay members.