Review Summary: Don't worry, Manafest, your very few citizens are activ(e)
It’s a Christian rap rock album. Who would listen to it? Blending two genres together pushes creativity away. Most people don’t want to listen to Christian music at all. But let me tell you something. Manafest is (or was, until the pop movement) a veteran rap rocker. Even by his third album, he deserves that title. He sure knows how to rap and riff.
Perhaps one thing that eats his popularity is how close his most popular song, “Impossible”, resembles the popular act Stinkin’ Park. But it doesn't stink like that dog park. Wait, what’s that? You don’t want to listen to just pure rap rock? Well there is plenty of pure rock and even more of rap. Oh now I know what you're gonna say. No, Manafest’s music is not strictly about praising God. In fact, there are not really any lyrics that would turn secular listeners away (except for the closer title track for Glory).
In all seriousness, though, let’s get to the album.
Citizens Activ starts off with “Bounce’s” twin, “4, 3, 2, 1”. It brings up the rap line, but lacks the backstory lyrics and the guitar chugging through. “So Beautiful” follows that, and, with the help of Trevor McNevan, is one of Manafest’s best songs. McNevan’s clean vocals and Manafest’s raps are executed perfectly, while being backed up by a satisfactory riff.
Citizens Activ is actually a lot more hip hop compared to Mana’s other albums. Songs like “Steppin’ Out”, “Good Day”, and “Turn it Up” sound pretty generic and flow too seamlessly through the album, rendering them unmemorable. They also lack any rock aspect. At least “Free” and “Lean on Me” have enjoyable rap lines, making the album listenable.
Sadly, there are a couple songs that practically require a skip. “Break Up” includes simple (and overplayed) hip-hop instrumentals and very, VERY weak lyrics… (It's a break up oh no/ Ahh She's from Venus and I'm from Mars/ It's a break up oh no/ Ahh She's from Venus and I'm from Mars/ I try to understand it/ But I'm just not from her planet, dang it)... yeah, and that’s at the beginning so… skip.
There is more to the rock style, however. “Kick It” is a fun song to jump around to, with a very good riff and lyrics that make you feel young (Open my eyes open them wide/ Let me go, let me play, let me live a little yeah Let me sow, let me grow, supernatural/ Open myself to what I find/ Let me fly, let me ride living faith or die falling on my face 7 times yet I still rise) And the indescribable “Live On” closes the album on a positive note.
I really wanted to rate this higher. Citizens Activ’s high points are very high. But unfortunately it’s more abundant low points are very low. So, to wrap it up, I would definitely recommend Manafest… but this is not the album for starters.
***DISCLAIMER*** I have nothing against Linkin Park.
