"Vertical" melds together acoustic guitar with electronic elements to produce a fresh, alternative sound that is much more than mere technical wizardry. The album opens to electronic note-bending over some spacey looping before burning into the jagged riffs of "Evidence," a thick wall of guitars looming over Yoder's passionate announcement: "I wanna scream this loud and clear." This is followed by the 51 second "Jam (With Toast)," an intense spoken rap featuring guest artist Tek-Son. The throbbing, rolling fourth track "I Need You" has an epic feel to it that follows into the next track, "Stand Tall." Yoder's straightforward acoustic guitar plays against some spacey programming before closing with some delicate noodling and the "weird ambient sounds" attributed to Yoder on the liner notes. "Not in Vain" was written as Yoder made his way through a church break-up, and the thick rock guitar riffs feel as right as the fervent vocals declaring that "our works for God are never in vain."
Sandy Williams joins Yoder on his wonderful mandolin for the deeply worshipful "Free," making a quiet bed for the tender refrain, "I Have one life, one love, one God above." Another equally emotive track follows, the howling "Core," an impassioned plea for God's presence to fill and change him. Yoder's sincere worship pours from this project, especially interesting considering his heritage: a mother who grew up Amish and a Mennonite father. This religious upbringing sent Yoder on his own pursuit of relationship with God. If "Vertical" is any indication, he found more than he bargained for, like the rest of us.
I also enjoyed Yoder's closing rendition of "It Is Well," its quiet acoustic beginning oozing with serenity before his mid-song turn into joyous exultation, hard to resist. "Vertical" is a breath of fresh air, and by breath I mean a howling glorious wind of creative passion, Yoder-style, not to be missed.
Kevan Breitinger - My journey to this opportunity has been an interesting one. I've always been a rabid music-lover, tending to experience all things through ...
