Stereotype Be

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Some singers leave indelible marks. There's no mistaking the trademark vocals of U2's Bono, Matchbox 20's Rob Thomas, and dc Talk's Kevin "Kmax" Smith. On his first solo effort, Kmax lays down a progressive rock groove that incorporates elements of Eastern mysticism, industrial music, and eclectic pop. But regardless of the sound, there's no mistaking that voice. Smith and producer-musician Adrian Belew never overwhelm you with the multiple studio effects they do employ, but all the while, the music allows Smith's enigmatic vocals to take center stage. Tracks that shine include "Return of the Singer," "Excellence," and "I Don't Belong," the last of which features lyrics that strongly indict hero worship of any sort and display Smith's disdain for being called a "rock star." Humility aside, the song also has a fantastic, catchy chorus and seems like a sure-fire radio hit. But those are at a minimum on Stereotype Be, which is more about style and experimentation than radio-friendly pop. --Michael Lyttle

Stereotype Be, Music, Kevin Max, Contemporary Christian Music, Gospel, Pop, Religious / Contemp. Christian

Average customer rating:

Man I hate christian music

It's a real shame.

OK

An overlooked gem.

Heartfelt, reflective, and bold!

Stereotype Be
Kevin Max
Manufacturer: Forefront / Emd
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
Christian Contemporary Music | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Between the Fence and the Universe

The Imposter

Empty

Lose This Life

Unfinished Work

ASIN: B00005NNE0
Release Date: 2001-08-28

Tracks:

Return Of The Singer
Existence
Be
Angel With No Wings
Shaping Space
Dead End Moon
Union Of The Soul
The Secret Circle
I Don't Belong
Blind
On And On
Her Game
Deconstructing Venus
I Went Over The Edge Of The World
You (Hidden Track)

Amazon.com

Some singers leave indelible marks. There's no mistaking the trademark vocals of U2's Bono, Matchbox 20's Rob Thomas, and dc Talk's Kevin "Kmax" Smith. On his first solo effort, Kmax lays down a progressive rock groove that incorporates elements of Eastern mysticism, industrial music, and eclectic pop. But regardless of the sound, there's no mistaking that voice. Smith and producer-musician Adrian Belew never overwhelm you with the multiple studio effects they do employ, but all the while, the music allows Smith's enigmatic vocals to take center stage. Tracks that shine include "Return of the Singer," "Excellence," and "I Don't Belong," the last of which features lyrics that strongly indict hero worship of any sort and display Smith's disdain for being called a "rock star." Humility aside, the song also has a fantastic, catchy chorus and seems like a sure-fire radio hit. But those are at a minimum on Stereotype Be, which is more about style and experimentation than radio-friendly pop. --Michael Lyttle

Customer Reviews:

Man I hate christian music.......2006-11-13

I hate it so much. It is terrible, sorry if that offends all you christian music fans. However, this is a really really good cd. I feel like this should have been completely abandoned from any sort of christian rock ties, because it stacks up perfectly with mainstream music. This is NOT your traditional view of contemporary christian music, and that is why this doesn't suck. The album was produced by Adrian Belew, a 70's and 80's synth electronica mastermind who worked with the likes of David Bowie and Brian Eno. You can definately tell that his ideas were involved in the making of this album. The bible verses that are stuck on this album to maybe give it SOME basis to being "christian music" really annoy me. They just feel absolutely pointless, just a pathetic attempt by a christian industry to deliver some dumb message to their masses. I hate it, but I like this music. Kevin Max's voice is amazing, and this doesn't sound much at all like that lame band dc Talk.

It's a real shame........2006-06-21

It's a real shame that the Christian community is so close-minded that they couldn't accept such a superb and artful album. This is by far the best solo album by any of the dc Talk members - when I listened to it, I thought, "This could do just as well in the mainstream market" - and that is exactly what the problem was with its sales. It was marketed towards Christians - who shrugged it off because, as Kevin Max himself said, it didn't fit in with their own pre-conceptions of what religious music should be - and no one in the mainstream even heard of it. It was only advertised through the Christian media outlets.

This album cost $200,000 to make (expensive for any Christian album) and it sounds so great with its mixing and effects and background vocals that I wouldn't be surprised to see it on another pop artist's resume. Kevin Max has the vocal power of Jeff Buckley. The album sounds like U2 meeting Buckley via Elton John, Pink Floyd and, dare I say, Axl Rose (the falsetto is strikingly reminiscent, but Kevin Max doesn't have the gritty-ness of Axl).

The lyrics are not overtly Christian and in fact Kevin Max said this album could be equally appreciated by a Buddhist or an atheist - and I agree.

I'm not trying to bash the Christians who avoided this album - I'm just saying I think they misunderstood it. Kevin Max sees the potential of Christian music being more "open" - to interpretation and ideas - and I think it's important, because as he said - the Christian music industry is like a "ghetto" right now - there is so much more potential. So many Christian artists could appeal to the mainstream and deliver the same message in a more subtle way.

"Stereotype Be," the title, refers - I'm sure - to the stereotypes of Christians and their music. Kevin Max was trying to blow the door off here and open up the industry to something fresh and different - and he succeeded beautifully - but people just didn't get it. They saw it as some pop album disguised as a Christian album, and because of Kevin Max's "bad boy" reputation they misunderstood the love-song lyrics as some kind of anti-Christian thing. Boy, were they wrong.

It's a real shame this album flopped - it's the best I've heard from any Christian artist in the last decade - and it contained ideas and lyrics and musical stylings that will probably never be heard in any Christian album ever again.

Some people didn't dig it. Okay. For them, there's always generic Christian rock like Tait.

It is an artful and hypnotic experience.

OK.......2006-04-24

As a big DC Talk fan, I have been rather disappointed with the solo efforts of the members.

Kevin Max certainly has an outstanding voice and he is quite a poet. That being said, this CD is merely OK. I think 'Be' is quite a good song.

It is really quite sad as DC Talk was certainly one of the most phenomenol bands that I have ever heard. The synergy of the three members is incredible. Sadly, they do not have the same thing going with their solo works.

An overlooked gem........2005-12-31

I bought this cd a few years ago after reading that it was listed as one of the top christian cds of the year. It lives up to the hype. Michael Tait and Toby Mac are the most "outfront" members of DC Talk; they put out excellent solo cds, but I heard little talk about Kmax's until the review. I gave it a try and have never been disappointed. KMax's artistry is not usually the easiest to digest immediately; one's understanding of his music deepens and broadens with every listening. Is that so bad? Many times one hears excellent music which you love right away, but sometimes excellent music is meant to grow on you. Both are excellent. When I listen to "Stereotype B" I hear songs which I try to harmonize with for the umpteenth time and songs which I'm still trying to get my mind around. Still makes for an interesting album that will likely never grow old on me.

KMax has a great voice. He is a super harmonizer, making Michael Tait's voice sound that much more impressive, but KMax can hold his own with the melody. Harmony is usually harder to sing anyway, which shows us who probably has the better voice in DCTalk--and that's saying a lot with Michael Tait in your group.

Heartfelt, reflective, and bold!.......2005-10-21

`Stereotype Be' is the stunning solo debut of DC Talk's Kevin Max. A very arty collection which is a hybrid of his cryptic poetry and alt-pop/indie/european/middle eastern sounds. A bit like Peter Gabriel, U2 and even Morrissey!

Arguably THE voice of DC Talk (and the eccentric one, LOL!), his dulcet tones caress, surge, soar and twist around the very intelligent lyrics (ranging from the confessional, to inspirational to love) and well crafted soundscape.

Surging energetic techno rocker `Return of the singer' with Middle eastern influences opens the CD. However, don't be fooled, this doesn't indicate the direction of the CD. In fact, nothing does as everything on this CD sounds so different from each other.

The questioning `Existence' with lyrics like `What is/ what is this/this mess that my existence is' is set to jangling sitars and exotic percussion, and even has a little rap. Brilliant!

`Be' is a gentle ballad with lyrics urging you to be yourself as only you can be you, set to haunting music and twanging guitars.

The horn laden Beatlesque `Shaping space' is a gentle ballad with delicate backing vocals and creepy sound effects.

`Dead end moon' is a haunting percussion filled rocker with Kevin's voice quivering like some middle eastern singer. Great!

`Union of the soul' is a poem recited to a guitar laden musical backdrop, it is a description of our dependence on God.

Next is the very dark, off beat `The secret circle' which like its name goes through cycles of sung lyrics set to a dizzying sound drop, which builds to a noisy segment with muttered lyrics. The song is about some weird girl called Ellesun. Is this a metaphor for something else? Very different and great!

The delicate vulnerable `I don't belong' is a straight ahead alt-pop ballad, uncluttered and catchy with warbly guitars and a brilliant catchy chorus. Just as moving is the delicate horn laden `On and on', a lovely love ballad with great metaphorical lyrics.

`Deconstructing Venus' is an absolutely brilliant uptempo rocker about a self absorbed person, with lyrics like `You wear Versace but you look like a dirty bag'. Very catchy chorus and great guitars.

Electric guitar announces `I went over the edge of the world', which is another poem recited against a musical back drop. Once again, cryptic poetric lines. This leads to the hidden track `You' which refers to God as being everything to him. An upbeat song with raging guitars, great harmonizing, and great percussion! I stand before your altar like a lamb led to the slaughter.

Ok, what can I say! This CD earned Kevin commendation and condemnation in equal measure. For those seeking straight ahead `O Lord how I love thee' lyrics, there are thousands of other CDs that offer that so look elsewhere. For those willing to open their minds and hearts and let in something different and enriching, unhindered by boundaries, heartfelt music by a flawed human like you and I, this might just be for you.

Kevin Max has got a new CD just out called `The Imposter' which I can't wait to get.

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