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It’s hard NOT to like Lincoln Brewster. He seems like a down to earth, all around nice guy. It’s interesting to note that even though he’s got the chops to be in the upper echelon of the Guitar Rock Gods, Brewster chose a more low-key, more humble approach to his musical career. Now that’s pretty impressive in an industry where vanity and narcissism run rampant. Instead of being a celebrated “guitar hero” for the masses, Brewster seems content simply being a worship leader for Bayside Church near Sacramento, California. Of course he’s still known to many for his guitar skills, but through it all Brewster admirably tries to keep the focus solely on God. Same goes for his latest album, Today Is the Day, where he keeps things pretty restrained to keep the focus on the songs and not his amazing guitar abilities. Unfortunately, Brewster plays it a bit TOO safe which makes for a dull listen. He doesn’t cover much new ground here and stays well within the tried and true “Lincoln Brewster formula”. the album is just a bit too “cookie cutter” for my tastes. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not all bad but for once, I’d love to see Brewster simply *rock out* and not be so self-conscious about his God-given abilities. We get a glimpse of this on the last song “Let Your Glory Shine”. For some reason he lets his guard down on this song and plays some of the *rawest* guitar licks he’s ever done on any of his albums. This particular track is also unique in the fact that he put aside his usual Fender Strat to utilize the fatter sounds of those humbucker pickups on a Gibson guitar. His playing is upfront and passionate and the upbeat guitar break in the middle section is just *through the roof*!!! It’s too bad he lets loose on only one song. It’s just too little, too late.

retroGrade : C+

highlights include: “Today is the Day”, “Give Him Praise”, “God You Reign”, “Salvation is Here” and “Let Your Glory Shine”

Today Is the Day
artist: Lincoln Brewster
Label: Integrity Music/Sony
released: September 2008
website: LincolnBrewster.com

TrackList:
1 Today Is the Day (Baloche, Brewster) 4:36
2 Everywhere I Go (Brewster, Packiam) 4:52
3 Give Him Praise (Brewster) 4:55
4 God You Reign (Brewster, Fieldes) 6:10
5 The Arms of My Savior (Brewster) 5:08
6 This Love (Brewster, Fieldes) 4:27
7 The Power of Your Name (Brewster, Fieldes) 5:44
8 The Love of God (Brewster, Fieldes) 3:50
9 Salvation Is Here (Houston) 4:51
10 Let Your Glory Shine (Brewster, Fieldes) 4:53

Watch the official video for “Today is the Day” on youtube:

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Filed under:
music, reviews by retroDan