Sweet Crystal - 5 Carat Rock (2016)

Style: Progressive Rock, AOR
Release date: June 9, 2016
Format: CD/Digital
Tracks: 8
Label: Nightcrier Music
Rating: 75%

1. Even  Now
2. Come as we Are
3. Jericho
4. Can't Turn Back
5. When He Returns
6. Nothing Here (For You to Fear)
7. Home Sweet Home
8. Sgt. Penney 1945 (Live)



Published on September 30th, 2016 | by Anthony Martinez

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When I think of Sweet Crystal, think it is one of the most underrated bands of Christian rock, since in more than 30 years, the band is not openly known in the field of Christian rock, despite this, the band has been winning several awards in Detroit.

Last June, the band released their most recent album "5 Carat Rock" which contains 8 songs among which are highlighted the beautiful song "Come as we Are", one of the best songs I've heard Sweet Crystal , choruses and melody are really catchy, harmony created with the piano and the guitar is great.

"Can not Turn Back" is a beautiful ballad that as it progresses becomes a more intense song.

A new cover of "When He Returns" Bob Dylan appears on this album, very different from the original song and any other cover. The Original version is a rather slow and gentle song, but Sweet Crystal decided to give more intensity and speed. When I heard this song for the first time, I did not realize that it was the song of Bob, musically is very different from the original version, but this does not mean it is a bad song, on the contrary, is a very good version that worth listening to.

"Nothing Here (For you to fear)" is a beautiful ballad that Marq sings a duet with Gail Englind. I like the transition between the previous song to this.

The surprise on this album is "Home Sweet Home" when I read the name of this song, I do not imagine it was a cover of Mötley Crüe, was so impressed, I really like this version. It was very interesting to hear that after the introduction of piano, Marq enters singing the chorus of this song.

“Sgt. Penney 1945” is a closing radio interview originally broadcast on June 2, 1945 from Manila, the Philippines, which the band included to honor the late Sgt. Arnold L. Penney (1922-2015).

Actually are 5 original songs, two covers, and one radio interview originally broadcast in 1945. But it's okay, there is no reason to be alarmed, this is an album that worth listening to. Like all Sweet Crystal albums, keyboards are highly prevalent.