Love & War Review

BarlowGirl fans will not be dissapointed with the bands 5th studio 
release, Love & War. It strongly abides it's heavy spiritual themes and 
just like the band itself, refuses to back down. In an interview once, the girls said "We're not going to stop what we're doing just to sell more ablums or become more famous." This quote should be the theme after this release.

The first track comes in with a bang, as an ecouragement for belivers 
to 'Come Alive.' With it's catchy 4/4 beat, it's a hard one to miss. The 
chorus brings out an important message, saying 'life that holds no 
meaning is like a day without the light.' How very true. It's a call to 
stand up and be actve Christians. The following track, Open Heavens rings in with an edge 
yet boasts lyrics that bring in worship roots and pull your heart to raise 
your hands and sing at the top of your lungs. The 'hallelujahs' at the 
end really make the epic and very beautiful feel. The strings mingle 
in nicely with every single track as well, somewhat as an assistant to 
the heavy guitars and drums balancing out every track. Beautiful 
Ending, the girl's first single on the album, is a lovely track similar to the 
previous feel of 'Here's My Life' and 'I Need You to Love Me'. The lyrics 
are simply wonderful, especially in the 2nd verse 'with hands that 
painted the stars and hold tears that fall.' In a nutshell the lyrics on 
L&W will have you floored the whole way through, track affter track. 

Stay With Me opens up with a usual BG feel, probably the only one on 
the whole record that does. The signature theme is uplifting for those 
hard times in life that need encouragement. Our Worlds Collide is one 
of two absolutely adorable and blissful songs, Hello Sunshine being the 
other, that echo beautiful simple moments.

Love is marching is the anthem of this album in full. 'I was told 
when I was young that anyone could change the world' echoes through 
this entire CD. It's the theme that is controversial epic powerful and 
anything but silent. "love is marching to his heartbeat"The chorus is 
simply stunning and the strings ultimately make it happen.

"Silence is worse than evil done.' Like Come Alive, Running Out of Time 
expresses action in the Christian walk. Running, however shows more of 
the urgency for change and how lax Christians are becoming in terms of 
spreading Christ to a lost world. It continues that 
message with a 'more in your face' agressive appeal. It shows how the 
media has a way of getting inside and infecting hearts with sin in an 
almost invisible way. If this song had failed to have it's harsh guitar 
and bass riffs this songs message wouldn't have as great of an impact 
as it does.

Sing Me a Love Song seems to be every heart's cry whether it wants to 
be expressed of not. The beautiful prelude is enough to make anyone 
cry or reflect upon what sort of situation his or her, heart is in. 
This song is living proof that heartfelt songs don't have to be 
painfully slow. A first time listen calls for some sort of redemption. 
By far the best track off the record. This definitely makes Its point, 
almost refusing to be ignored. On the other hand, the song that 
follows is hardly comparable unless gospel is the listener's cup of 
tea. If you overlook the style the lyrics are lovely, accompanied By 
a random gorgeous piano solo. The CD wraps with Hello Sunshine which 
holds the ability to plaster a permanent smile across anybody's face. 
But it doesnt stop there. Continue listenining another minute for 
more smiles.

All the songs on Love & War truly show the bands amazing 
musicianship, proving all their musical talents. The overall theme of 
the two opposing sides of Christianity are perfectly expressed in a 
way only a Barlow can do, but at the same time, in a way that anyone 
can achieve. I personally give this record 5 out of 5 stars.

 Remember 
that this is war, a war of love.