It's no coincidence that the first announcement that Jesus Christ has been resurrected from the dead happened on a morning.  This is because one of God's career apogees is that His light is always able to penetrate the deepest darkness.   Death, sin and darkness are helplessly friable in the presence of Jesus Christ.  The Digital Age's latest album "Evening: Morning" conceptually revolves around this theme that Christ's light does pierce through the nocturnal nature of sin, despair and death.  Listening to this record is like embarking on a night drive across the bleakest unknown with a dotty GPS, no Motel exit in sight and the nearest gas station a hundred miles away.   The twelve cuts symbolizes each hour of the drive as we journey together with Digital Age.  Yet, as we sojourn our way across the night we make our way towards the rising Son.  We wait for Him with longings in our hearts to meet the Son looming in the horizon to greet us with his dawning resurrection power.   The four members of the Digital Age come from the Grammy nominated Christian rock David Crowder Band.  After their highly successful EP "Rehearsal," "Evening: Morning" is this quartet's much anticipated first full-length album.

Jeremiads often are quick to point out that when band members venture away from their highly successful bands to carve their own careers they almost never replicate their former successes.  This is because they are so stymied in their former glory that they have not changed their modus operandi.  Thus, regurgitating through the same trite and true material.  The Digital Age are wizened enough to know not to be a domesticated version of David Crowder Band.  In fact, "Evening: Morning" is unlike anything we have ever heard from these guys.  It's such a unique record that no to song sounds alike.  Earlier indications are already prevalent that God has great things in store for this quartet with the release of their lead single "Captured" which is already gaining traction with Christian radio.  While one expects the Digital Age to trail into the current hype of electronica terrain, "Captured" defies any genre labelling.  The sound of "Captured" is the coming together of Mumford and Sons, the Beatles and Switchfoot.  It may sound bizarre on paper, but it actually works.  It is quaint on one hand with a Hippies 60s sonic veneer; on the other hand, "Captured" is anthemic powerful in its build up, exalting the captivating beauty of Christ's call.        

Alternative rock fans who love the raw crunch of electric guitars that we have grown accustomed to with David Crowder Band will not be disappointed with "Symphony of Grace."  "Believe," on the other hand, warmly reminds us that what sustain us in our nights are not positive thoughts but God's truth.  Inspired by the creeds of the church, "Believe" adds depth to the frivolously nature of lots of Christian music today.  Yet it is by no means prolix.  These guys surprised again with their cover of All Sons and Daughters' signature worship tune "All the Poor and the Powerless."  With the use of echo-laden guitars and cymbals, "All the Poor and the Powerless" has that plebeian feel so befitting of this worship favorite.  Half way through this twelve track (hour) sojourn we are treated with the aptly titled "Through the Night."  With a Georgian chant-like vocals meshed with a fresh cavalcade of synth riffs, it is as if they are trying to tells us that throughout the past, present and future we can be confident of God's presence in our deepest nights.       

As they say, the darkest hour of the night is the hour before dawn.  If this whole album of twelve songs functions as a travelogue, the eleventh cut is most caliginous.  Thus, their penultimate track, "Always You" is a soft guitar driven worship ballad exalting in the ever presence of God.  These guys are right: our fears are most missed in the midst of praise.  Joyously "Morning Song" closes off the record. With the chirping of birds, a country-like acoustic guitar and a 70s echo-y ambiance, "Morning Song" calls upon all of creation praising the Savior's love.  Concept albums, if not worked out properly, can appear cheesy.  But not with "Evening: Morning."  Everyone of us have ridden through the deepest nights without a glimpse of light, but the Digital Age shows us that our Savior does not give us a light.  Rather, He himself comes as our light, holding our hands, and gently leading us out of the darkness.