TobyMac “This is Not a Test” Album Review

Prime Cuts: Love Feels Like (Featuring DC Talk),  Fall, Backseat Driver (Featuring Hollyn and Tru)

Started in the 90s is a burgeoning trend where many artists tend to have "featured artist" tracks.  It became common fare for a singer these days to have a rapper as a featured artist on a song while rappers also frequently have a singer singing their song's hooks.  Has TobyMac jumped on such a bandwagon for his latest release "This is Not a Test"?  On the regular version of 11 tracks, 6 of which have at least one featured artist.  Has TobyMac allowed other artists to so foreground his own album that he's been delegated into a guest artist role?  Not so according to the six times Grammy Winner.  "Collaboration takes us deeper," said Toby. "There is a profound richness that happens when we come together and take the time to learn from each other's perspectives-the diversity of our upbringing, the color of our skin and the things we are drawn to."

In the light of making this album richer overcoming racial, gender, genre divides, "This is Not a Test" passes with honors.  Produced by Toby, David Garcia, Chris Stevens and Brian Fowler, the album is a richly textured album that blends rock, pop, hip-hop and soul together.  "This Is Not A Test" is the follow-up to his No. 1 Billboard debut "Eye On It."  The record features diverse group of artists, including for the first time in a decade, his DC Talk band-mates Kevin Max and Michael Tait, and newer artists like Capital Kings, Ryan Stevenson, and Hollyn.  Lyrically, the whole album plays no guessing games as far as faith is concerned.  Rather, with great creative flare, TobyMac addresses issues emerging out of Scripture, including pertinent topics such as backsliding, the purpose of life, seizing every opportunity to serve God, and real love.

Perhaps most autobiographical and most moving is "Love Feels Like" which features CCM veterans DC Talk.  Coming right off the death of Toby's dad in the spring of 2015, "Love Feels Like" speaks of how  real love pushes us out of our comfort zone. And it's in those moments when we feel like we have nothing left that we discover the richest blessings. Thus, the line "empty never felt so full" in "Love Feels Like" really hits like a ton of bricks. The skittering drums and the live horns of "Feel It" calls to mind Michael Jackson from his 80s heydays.  The song speaks of how the Holy Spirit collaborate with us working in our hearts if only we care to listen.  Best among the collaborative tracks is "Backseat Driver."  Hollyn with her breezy mellifluous soprano brings out a sweetness in the song which speaks of allowing Jesus to be the driver of our lives.

Clocking in at only 2:39 minutes, the title cut "This is Not a Test" thrives on its economy of words and notes.  Never a wasted syllable or beat, "This is Not a Test" lives up to the song's lyrics of redeeming each moment of our lives for Jesus.  Fans who are thinking of saving a couple of dollars by not buying the deluxe version of this album may want to think twice as the "bonus" track "Fall" is a keeper.  Featuring a pseudo samba feel with some sparse notes, "Fall" presents a more "acoustic" side to TobyMac. Faith has never been more eloquent put than the album's lead single "Beyond Me."  With a made for radio infectious pop tune, "Beyond Me" has some of TobyMac's best lyrics to date: "That You gave me the stars, put them out of my reach/Called me to waters a little too deep/Oh, I've never been so aware of my need/You keep on making me see/It's way beyond me."

With the string of collaborators, TobyMac isn't just trailing behind the glitz and the trendy.  Rather, each collaboration adds depth and dimension to the album showcasing the Biblical mandate that every race, gender, and culture can work together to cherish each moment for Jesus and His glory. And "This is Not a Test" is testamental to such a truth.

 

 

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