Glowing

Given the explanation he provides in the liner notes, Seth Gilbert must have anticipated the confusion of fans at this startling departure. In detail, he describes recording this third disc in his church studio so it could take on a "more homey and relaxed vibe." Translation: this may technically be a Seven Places album, but you'd never know by listening. Gone are the guitars, replaced with lo-fi instrumentation and barely an acknowledgment of the band they used to be. Drummer Jeffrey Gilbert and bass player Dave Leutkenhoelter left to join Kutless, leaving the frontman to either replace the missing bandmembers or go on as a solo artist. He ended up doing neither, instead continuing on under the band's moniker but without Seven Places' modern youth rock sound. If not for the name, this might unofficially be considered Gilbert's solo debut. Some bright spots appear around the album's middle and later sections, but the shock factor may never wear off, since this is still technically a Seven Places production.