G. K. Chesterton once said that a good preacher holds the Bible in one hand and the newspaper on the other.  The same needs to be true also of every singer-songwriter.  Some Christian songs are akin to spiritually ivory towers; they are so aloof from the challenges of daily living that they come across as far too idealistic void of any realistic value.  This is not true of the songs of Stellar Kart.  Rather, the esse of their songs seeks to engage God's truth with the daily happenstance of our lives and with grit, teeth, compassion and love.  On Stellar Kart's fifth studio full-length album "All In," they continue to acerbically deal with life issues such as how can we be in the world yet not of it?  How do we see ourselves in our Hollywood-awed society?  How do we deal with guilt and sin at the foot of the Cross?  Since 2005, Stellar Kart has been Contemporary Christian music's answer to punk/rock mainstays such as Blink 182 and Simple Plan.  Over the years, with their tenure with WORD records and now with INPOP, they have blessed us with solid tunes such as "Me and Jesus", "Jesus Loves You," "Something Holy" "We Shine" and many more. 

After some shake-up with regards to the reformulation of the group members and a Disney Cover EP detour, they are back with their brand new "All In." Featuring Adam Agee on lead vocals and guitar, Nick Baumhardt on guitar, Jeremi Hough on drums, Aleigh Shields on bass, Stellar Kart has teamed up with producer Seth Mosley (MeInMotion, Newsboys and Audio Adrenaline) for this new set.  What is most rewarding about "All In" is the spiritual depth and thoughtfulness of the songs.  The punk/rock album opener "Criminals and Kings" unveils a sobering message that we as Christians need to hear:  we are called to be different from the world because we have received a higher calling. Also, those of us who feel like we have to constantly apologise because of the moral stances we take as Christians will have much to learn from the lead single "All In (Apologize)."  Musically, instead of just inundating us with the heavy blast of sound, they have laced "All In (Apologize)" in a more acoustic setting with delightful harmonies that is a welcome recess from their heavy punk sound.

Like sitting under feet of a mentor who is not afraid of speaking truthfully, the piano and bass heavy "Time's Not Waiting" brims with wisdom telling us not to let our life passed us by without taking risks for God's glory.  The swampy blues rock of "Ones and Zeros" continues on the similar trajectory that though we are still flawed by sin we are the ones God wants to use us for his glory.  Of note though are the words:  "We are the ones, we are the ones and zeroes, the beautiful incomplete / We are the ones, we are the future heroes, a colorful symphony."  In a day and age when we are obsessed with reality TV, "Hollywood Reality" is a tongue-in-cheek  response that fame can distract us from the reality of life God has called us to live:  "Super Sweet 16 and Pregnant, fired off of The Apprentice, everything is entertainment here / It's a Hollywood reality, a la-la-land of fake believe."

Fans that dig their more worship approach of "Everything Is Different Now" will love the songs that are more vertically channeled.  "My Surrender" puts to words the struggle we often have within our hearts between self-reliance and being completely sold-out for Jesus.  Most touching though is the soft rock ballad "Before and After.'  Written from God's purview, here God reminds us that despite of what we may or may not have done, there is nothing that will ever separate us from His love.  In short, the value of "All In" is that it exhibits the ventriloquism of where God's truth confronts the realities of living. So, this is by no means a ivory tower record.  Rather, it overflows with wisdom, life lessons and God's truth glaring over hook-laden melodious tunes.