Light Up The Sky

Light Up The Sky, the third major release from Texas Alternative Christian rockers The Afters is a pleasing 10 song blend of worship music and entertainment.  I was first introduced to the band via a free download of Someday from their debut album I Wish We All Could Win. Suffice it to say this album is a bit mellower.  The mellower sound has gotten more polished, however, so you could call it artistic rock
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The Track Listing:

1. Light Up The Sky
2. Lift Me Up
3. Start Over
4. Runaway
5. I Am Yours
6. Life is Sweeter
7. Say it Now
8. We Won't Give Up
9. Saving Grace
10. For The First Time

According to Wikipedia, Lead Vocalist/Keyboard/Guitars Joshua Havens and Vocalist/Guitarist Matt Fuqua worked at the same Starbucks in Mesquite, Texas, which may be one of the best things ever to come out of a Starbucks.
Light Up The Sky starts out its thirty eight minute journey with the title track, a worshipful anthem to the love of God, and one of the three early release singles, the other two being Runaway and We Won't Give Up.  Lift Me Up continues the worship theme

   "You lift me up when I am weak, your arms wrap around me, your love catches me, so I'm letting go."

We move into rock with Start Over, the second loudest song on the album (We Won't Give Up being the loudest).  We slow down again with Runaway, which has become my favorite song on the album, a take on the parable of the Prodigal Son.  Back to worship we go with what is sure to become a Youth Group favorite

  "You gave your life for mine, to have you by my side, I won't look back anymore, I am yours."

Life is Sweeter is a song about Heaven where "life is sweeter on the other side" and then Say it Now, a song about personal forgiveness and not letting the sun go down on your wrath.  Rock anthem We Won't Give Up follows and then a song about God's Saving Grace.
Light Up The Sky is not technically a Worship Album, though you will have a hard time staying out of a worship spirit while listening to this CD.  I'm giving this album a Strong 4.5 Emeralds and think its a strong contender for the first annual Platinum Vinyl Awards.