By Lydia Akinola
GENRE: HIP HOP/ POP
LABEL: FOREFRONT RECORDS
RELEASE DATE: FEBRUARY 9, 2010
RATING: 4 OUT OF 5
TobyMac is the man. Some people just know where the party is going, and our man Toby is one of them. Yes, Tonight may be have been massively hyped, and the frenzy that this guy can cause is almost ridiculous, but for once, this is not ‘mere over-hype’; the excitement is justifiable in view of the serious talent displayed.
Once again, TobyMac collaborates with other popular artists, adding to the constant theme of diversity and assortment that permeates all his work. This time, the co-stars are Matt Thiessen of Relient K on Wonderin’ and Skillet’s John Cooper on the title track. Israel Houghton features on the album’s closing track. The guest vocals enhance the artistic content of Tonight, adding to the ‘everyone’s-in-on-the-party’ atmosphere.
Content-wise, everything points to God. “Wonderin’” has TobyMac reminiscing the bygone dc-Talk days, thanking God for friends and guidance in the past. “Hey Devil” is a defiant piece reminding Satan that, with God, we are the victors. “Funky Jesus Music” is as written- funky Jesus music. With none of that “mumbo jumbo” it’s got “beats and rhymes”; displaying a vibrancy and dynamism that ‘Jesus music’ often lacks.
“Musically it’s still that same big pot of gumbo-what I call hip-rock, funk and soul,” says McKeehan himself. And he is right, Tonight is stylistically more Portable Sound’s follow up than any other predecessor. After spending 2 and half years working on the minutiae, each song is as perfect as it is going to get. But someone looking for creative re-invention is not going to find it. Here, TobyMac has chosen doing what he does incredibly well, rather than risking a different adventure. The argument, as always, goes both ways. After spending 3 years on it, is not only fair to expect something more progressive, forward-looking, like the revolutions of the past? Or considering that he is a modern day icon, with legions of albums sold, should he not be allowed to do what he wants, as long as he does it well? Tonight lacks daring, but that this does not negate from the professionalism and mass appeal. TobyMac’s following is just happens to be more than big enough to support anything that he releases.
Being at the top can be tough, yet TobyMac’s main asset is that he makes accessible to everyone. For most of Christendom, Tonight has something to offer. The religious content is all here, and not at the expense of production perfection, cross-genre appeal and energetic sound. A little more innovation- novelty- wouldn’t hurt—but since he’s been in the game for longer than I’ve been alive, and still remains relevant musically, I feel it is only fair to give credit where credit is due.
For those of you who are interested in the masters of the future, the crowning jewel is, of course, Truett. In Tru’Dog ’10, we hear Toby’s son sounding “Loud and Clear” and better than ever. A 10 year veteran in his own right, the track is a short, sweet filler.
Overall, Tonight is an enjoyable listen. While it may not be earth-shattering, the latest album from someone who helped define contemporary Christian music makes a pretty strong statement. Tonight is a great illustration of where Christian music can go.
Review copy provided courtesy of Forefront Records.
