Chasen - That Was Then, This Is Now

Producer: Rob Hawkins
Record Label: INO Records
Website: http://www.chasenmusic.com

A couple of years ago, Chasen debuted on the Christian music scene on a small, indie label, and they managed to crack the Top 10 on the CHR charts a couple times with their hit singles “Crazy Beautiful” and “Drown.”  The group garnered the attention of INO Records (MerycMe, Skillet, The Afters, Sara Groves) soon thereafter - and they were quickly scooped up.  The band, whose name is taken from lead singer and primary songwriter Chasen Callahan’s first-name, is now releasing their first major label release.  The group enlisted the help of Rob Hawkins (Fireflight, Nevertheless) as producer and are off to a great start with That Was Then, This Is Now.  Chasen’s music has a real radio-friendly pop/rock feel with a certain worship bent as well - much in part to Callahan’s work as a worship leader in his home church in Greenville, South Carolina.  The album kicks off with the extremely catchy an driving “Castaway” before moving into the familiar sounding “Love In the Name” and popular single “On and On.”  The fact of the matter is that Chasen has 10 songs that are tailor-made for radio, yet they never feel forced or contrived in that manner. It just feels like the band knows how to create catchy melodies (see “Eyes of a Rescue,” “Airplane,” or “Bullet”), much like similarly minded bands like Sanctus Real, Starfield, or Matthew West. They aren’t trying to be catchy. It just so happens that the music they create is. It’s hard not to appreciate that. Lyrically, with the band being a pop/rock outfit with worship overtones, there’s not a lot to really be said that hasn’t already been said - but at least Chasen seems to try and spin the themes in different ways. “Eyes of a Rescue” is an especially clever song that speaks to those in our lives who haven’t yet come to know Christ as their Savior. “On & On” speaks of the unending joy found in Christ, while “Airplanes” is a song that deals with loss.  Again, nothing that we haven’t heard before - but the band at least attempts to show us these concepts in new ways.  Overall, Chasen’s major-label debut surpasses their last effort by leaps and bounds. The band feels more comfortable in their own skin, and the writing has improved immensely.  If other bands could have the kind of drive that Chasen does to create better music - the music industry would be a much better and appreciated place.

Track listing:
1. Castaway
2. Love In Your Name
3. On & On
4. Leave You Alone
5. Airplanes
6. One In a Million
7. Bullet
8. Eyes of a Rescue
9. Slow Down
10. There Is Love