Most longtime Alternative Rock fans know that any new recording from Mike Pritzl is reason enough to cheer, and this new recording doesn’t disappoint.

The band has been prolific over the last ten years, releasing seven projects in that time span. Now, coming off the brilliant strength of their last CD, Faith and Devotions of a Satellite Heart, the band releases an album of surprisingly positive and worship alternative rock songs.

While not as visceral as the self-titled “Domo Record” nor as eclectic as Plastic and Elastic, the Violets are much more lyrically centered than on previous outings. Continuing to follow the track laid down on Satellite Heart, but in a much more polished and lyrically straightforward manner.

Taking their songs into degrees of black and white, Pritzl writes and sings songs that declare an open-hearted love and devotion to Christ as Savior and Lord. Not since their now out-of-print classic Strength has the band been so vulnerable about their faith, and that’s a good thing.

A very good thing.

For example, as Pritzl sings on “The Only One,” “And in your love I sing/ I, I believe in you/ I, I will trust in you/ So hold me close, Lord/ In your arms/ You’re the only one that I need/ On the Cross/ You gave your life for me/ Out of love/ You set this captive free” you can feel the sincere yearning in his voice to lift his song above the clouds and touch the heart of God.

Certainly, the Violets have released their most light-hearted, worshipful, optimistic set of songs ever on This Is the Moment.

With a new line-up change on nearly every album, The Violet’s latest incarnation includes a veritable “who’s who” of Christian Alternative Rock. With Andrew Prickett on the guitars, Herb Grimaud Jr. on bass and Sam West on drums, the Violet Burning are approaching a “mega-band” status. However, the snarling guitar prowess of Prickett is notably muted here, and drummer Sam West is certainly less threatening than the rhythms he’s laid down for bands like Stavesacre and Savior Machine.

It’s no secret that this is a band that exists to provide a platform for Pritzl’s music and words.

However, it’s been a long time since the Violets have had a CD released, and so, potentially, there are numerous alternative music fans out there who may be surprised that the band is still around, or who may have never heard of the band at all.

I can highly recommend This Is the Moment for fans of alternative worship, and especially for those who enjoy the music of artists like The Choir, Fold Zandura or Mike Knott.

Keith Giles 5/11/2003

4 out of 5 stars
http://www.tollbooth.org/2003/reviews/vburning.html