Hyper Static Union

Jun 5, 2006 ,
Posted by Susan Prince

If you are looking for something new and different, or music from a rock band that isn’t described with the words “sounds like Kutless“, then Hyper Static Union might be the next band for you to check out.

Hyper Static Union is a rock band that infuses infectious melodies together with a dynamic, rhythmic funk that is the foundation for it’s driving solid rock sound. Lead singer and main songwriter, Shawn Lewis has a smooth vocal quality with amazing range that lifts the music right off the disc, through the ear, and into the part of the brain where melodic hooks get stuck. The crisp vocal harmonies, thick guitar grooves, Stevie Wonder and Lenny Kravitz influenced funk-rock, combined with inspiring spiritual lyrics make HSU a delight to listen to.

Hyper Static Union is on the cusp of carving their own niche in the music scene with their worthy debut release, touring with favorites such as Switchfoot, Relient K, Kutless, Toby Mac, Jeremy Camp, Third Day, and Pillar, and with the momentum of a huge endorsement coming from Mac Powell of Third Day, who produced much of this disc. All these elements combine to make HSU a band to watch…THE band to listen to!

“Lifegiver” lays the funk groove down to kick start the album as Lewis wails out “You gave me love Oh Lord, when I was so unlovable,” “You gave me life, You are the Lifegiver…”. Punctuated with Lewis’ bending and scooping of notes and adding subtle growls, this song sets the tone of the CD and has the listener grooving along and wanting more.

“Praying for Sunny Days” is one of the first cuts released from the CD and this is one of those tunes with a chorus that gets stuck in your head. It leads off with an accapella solo voice singing in a steady, straight ahead pulse “The thunder echoes from the mountains to the waves” then the soft funk of drum and guitar break in steadied with a repetitive bass note. Lewis shows off his talent in the falsetto range as he croons “I’m … praying for sunny days to return to me, seeking the warmth of the solar rays, I’m not just seeing the gray skies in front of me, praying for sunny days”. This is a song that offers hope through faith even when all those around you doubt and condemn you. The melody of the chorus flits and flutters as a butterfly floating on a breeze Then the song kicks out into an all out rock song at the bridge with a renegade guitar solo that seems to say “get behind me satan!” as he pushes doubters out of the way and waits for his sunny day.

The CD is chock full of inspirational lyrics that explore spiritual themes such as freedom (“Free Me”), grace (“Child of Grace”), fighting the good fight (“Good Fight”), and Jesus carrying us home in His Chariot (“Chariot”). The music is so refreshing because it is unlike the mainstream sound clogging CCM these days. It has a sound that is very warm and welcoming and will appeal to listeners of all ages. Fans of Maroon 5 may find the musical style very similar, and fans of old soul-funk like Stevie Wonder, James Brown, and Earth, Wind and Fire (minus the horns) will dig the groove. The rock sound captures influences of Lenny Kravitz and at times I compare it to the old retro sound of early 80s adult rock.

I highly recommend a listen to Hyper Static Union if only to satisfy a craving for something new, something different.

Visit:

Hyper Static Union

Hyper Static Union MySpace

[tags]Hyper Static Union, music[/tags]

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