Expect the Impossible is the third studio album from the Christian pop punk band, Stellar Kart. It was released on February 26, 2008 under Word Records.[1][2]
| Expect The Impossible | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | February 26, 2008 | |||
| Genre | Power pop, pop punk, punk rock | |||
| Length | 32:41 | |||
| Label | Word | |||
| Producer | Ian Eskelin | |||
| Stellar Kart chronology | ||||
| ||||
Awards
editThe album was nominated for a Dove Award for Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year at the 40th GMA Dove Awards.[3] The song "Shine Like the Stars" was also nominated for Rock Recorded Song of the Year.[3]
Critical reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [4] |
| Cross Rhythms |   [5] |
| Indie Vision Music |  [6] |
| Jesus Freak Hideout |  [7] |
| New Release Tuesday | [8] |
The album was generally positively received from most professional music sites and reviews, however multiple reviews also rated the album as average.
Jared Johnson of AllMusic optimistically stated the album "worked well, thanks to that same peppy charm that catapulted Good Charlotte and the All-American Rejects to the forefront. Unlike their secular counterparts, however, Stellar Kart had a substantive message to back up their studio optimism, rounding out the album with impressive calls to action on tunes like "Pray" and "Automatic." However long punk-pop would remain viable after its release, Expect the Impossible seemed to embody the best qualities of the genre."[4]
Jay Heilman of The Christian Music Review Blog warmly said: "I was really impressed with Expect the Impossible. I have to admit, the Christian punk scene has really lacked in the ‘message department’. I guess Christian music doesn't have to be about Christ anymore. The point is Stellar Kart delivers a great album balanced with great music and an equally great message. I would suggest this one to any who are looking for something cool to listen to and wants to be ministered to while be entertained. The lyrics are simple but yet effective in making the listener know what the band wants to say."[8]
On the flipside, Josh of Indie Vision Music plainly stated: "The inevitable single "Jesus Loves You" comes off as a gimmick trying to capitalize on the success of "Me and Jesus". Hopefully that wasn't the case but it’s how I took it. The album has a few good tracks but overall is a letdown and there are plenty of better pop punk/powerpop bands out there. Hopefully they'll learn their lesson and the label will allow them some room to grow. Otherwise we'll continue to get a very similar album each time. It does seem like the band tried to do some newer sounds but will never fulfill it fully while working and co-writing the majority of tracks with Eskelin. I can't say it enough. Working with new people, perhaps a producer who’s done lots of grittier punk would do this band wonders. They've got the pop thing covered but some edge will draw them a whole new crowd."[6] Spencer Priest of Jesus Freak Hideout went on to say: "It's bittersweet to listen to an album that has some great songs and takes some risks, yet at other times plays it too safe, because it's clear the band was capable of even more than it accomplished. Stellar Kart should please a wide audience with this release, but hopefully, if their sound continues to progress in a creative direction, we'll get more blockbusters on their next release and a few less sequels."[7] Nathan of New Release Tuesday remarked: "Agee wanted something for everyone including sounds from Linkin Park and Simple Plan. But that really didn’t bleed through as their quality wasn’t even close to them or their Christian peers like Hawk Nelson, Eleventyseven, or Everyday Sunday. After three albums Stellar Kart should be passed the stage that they have been in for a while now, and while the lyrics are more advanced, the music and themes are a little subpar on Expect the Impossible."[8] Finally, Mike Rimmer of Cross Rhythms frankly said: "Stellar Kart are to be applauded for their ministry direction and for attempting to stretch out their sound. However, the weakness is that some of Expect The Impossible sounds too much like songs I've heard before."[5]
Singles
edit"Jesus Loves You" was the first single off the release, and well as the tenth most-played song on R&R magazine's Christian CHR chart for 2008.[9] "Innocent", the second single off the release, followed a few months after the release of the album.[10]
Track listing
editAll tracks are written by Adam Agee and Ian Eskelin, except where noted
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Innocent" | 2:57 | |
| 2. | "Automatic" | 2:49 | |
| 3. | "Jesus Loves You" | 3:06 | |
| 4. | "The Right One" | Adam Agee, Jordan Messer | 2:53 |
| 5. | "Sunshine" | 3:07 | |
| 6. | "Pray" | 3:01 | |
| 7. | "Shine Like the Stars" | 4:07 | |
| 8. | "Eyes" | 3:43 | |
| 9. | "I Give Up" | 2:51 | |
| 10. | "Letters" | Agee, Messer | 4:07 |
| Total length: | 32:41 | ||
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11. | "Centerfield" (originally performed by John Fogerty) | John Fogerty | 3:16 |
Personnel
editStellar Kart
- Adam Agee – vocals, keyboards, guitars
- Cody Pellerin – guitars
- Brian Calcara – bass
- Jordan Messer – drums
Additional personnel
- Ian Eskelin – additional keyboards
- Aaron Shannon – programming
- David Angell – strings (3, 6, 10)
- David Davidson – strings (3, 6, 10)
- Tim Lauer – string arrangements (3, 6, 10)
- Ronn Tabb – cowbell (5)
Production
- Otto Price – executive producer, A&R direction
- Jamie Kiner – A&R direction
- Ian Eskelin – producer
- Aaron Shannon – recording
- Barry Weeks – vocal engineer, additional vocal production
- J.R. McNeely – mixing
- Steve Blackmon – mix assistant
- Dan Shike – mastering at Tone and Volume Mastering (Nashville, Tennessee)
Chart performance
edit| Billboard Charts (2008) | Peak positions |
|---|---|
| Billboard 200[11] | 66 |
| Billboard Alternative Albums[12] | 17 |
| Billboard Christian Albums[13] | 2 |
| Billboard Internet Albums[14] | 66 |
| Billboard Hot Christian Songs: "Jesus Loves You"[15] | 24 |
Music videos
editReferences
edit- ^ "Expect the Impossible on iTunes". iTunes. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
- ^ "Expect the Impossible on Amazon". Amazon.com. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
- ^ a b "Nominations Announced for 40th GMA Dove Awards on CBN.com". CBN.com. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
- ^ a b "Expect the Impossible overview and review on AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
- ^ a b "Expect the Impossible review on Cross Rhythms". Cross Rhythms. March 27, 2008. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
- ^ a b "Expect the Impossible review on Indie Vision Music". Indie Vision Music. April 6, 2008. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
- ^ a b "Expect the Impossible review on Jesus Freak Hideout". Jesus Freak Hideout. February 23, 2008. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
- ^ a b c "Expect the Impossible review on New Release Tuesday". New Release Tuesday. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
- ^ "2008 Year End Charts/Top Christian CHR songs". Radioandrecords.com. Archived from the original on May 25, 2009. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
- ^ "Stellar Kart Artist Profile on Air1". Air1 Radio. Retrieved April 29, 2015.
- ^ "Stellar Kart's Billboard 200 chart history". Billboard.com. Retrieved April 24, 2015.
- ^ "Stellar Kart's Alternative Albums chart history". Billboard.com. Retrieved April 24, 2015.
- ^ "Stellar Kart's Christian Albums chart history". Billboard.com. Retrieved April 24, 2015.
- ^ "Expect the Impossible Awards on AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved April 24, 2015.
- ^ "Stellar Kart's Hot Christian Songs chart history". Billboard.com. Retrieved April 24, 2015.