Track Listing

1. You Have What I Need
2. Friend Like That
3. Turn It On
4. One Little Miracle
5. Let's Dance
6. Ancient History
7. Somebody Else
8. Arms Around Me
9. Just Like Me
10. Not The Same
11. Words We Speak
12. I Still Miss You

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #21529 in Music
• Released on: 2008-04-01
• Number of discs: 1

Customer Reviews

A Rare and Precious Pop-Punk Treat
Hawk Nelson is a band that is steadily improving. Not that any of their previous recordings are bad, they are actually quite good. But this new record, "Hawk Nelson is My Friend," tops anything the band has done before. The reason why is because the songs are more enduring, as opposed to feel-good, sounds-good-while-it's-on anthems. Singles from the previous efforts such as "California" and "Bring 'em Out" show a taste for melody and pop-punk guitar, but the newest single, "Friend Like That" is more melodic, faster, and with more guitar. As far as pop-punk records go, the sound is a little more varied, witness the opening track, the MxPx influenced "You Have What I Need." "Turn it On" is another classic pop-punk gem, with the middle of the album containing several ballads before picking up the pace again. THe vocals are dead-on, and the rhythm section seems better than ever, not only less predictable, but more in-sync. This is one of the best melodic rock albums I have ever heard from a Christian rock band.

their best so far
Hyped several months in advance, this release finds the band in a good place spiritually and artistically. Both the label and the band put a lot of effort in promoting this album, and in doing so they let some of the best work out of the bag early on. "Friend Like That" was a single around Christmas time; "You Have What I Need" and "Let's Dance" were available on the band's websites before the album was released. There's still a lot left on the album, however.

One highlight on the album is "One Little Miracle". I'm normally not a fan of ballads on an album like this, but this song really works for the band. "Turn It On", "Ancient History", and "Just Like Me" are punchy little rockers that are every bit as good as the band's best work from previous albums. "I Still Miss You" is a slower ballad with a strong message that closes the album out on a serious note.

This is a Christian album, but outside the last track the band sings more about the fruits of their faith rather than the source of it. Most of the tracks deal with typical Christian responses to life issues, but they more or less talk around the faith aspect and Christ himself. There's nothing wrong with this; this is meant to be a rock album and not a sermon... but some listeners who are looking for direct messages about Christ might be disappointed. When you combine the faith of the band with the messages they are sending in the music it is a very powerful witness.

Fun, Fun, FUN!
When I first listened to this CD, it all sounded the same. But after three listens or so, I came to the conclusion that this is a great album. The guys are Christian, but unfortunately, it doesn't get quite as a prominent a place in the lyrics I would've liked. But the songs are great because I can listen to them with my kids. Of course, I embarrass them by singing and bopping along. But that's what moms do!