Artist: Stellar Kart
Album: Everything Is Different Now
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewer: Alex Judge
With their latest release, “Everything is Different Now,” the four piece punk rock band Stellar Kart honors their humble beginnings as a youth group praise team. They return to their roots by releasing an album with a very strong worship focus. It’s not necessarily an album that will be played in church services around the world, but it features songs that will facilitate everyday praise via worshipful lyrics and upbeat songs.
This album is unique for SK in many ways. For one, this is their first album with a title song. This album also contains four cover songs, three more than all of their other albums combined. Thirdly, this album has a number of songs with very different styles for SK, specifically “Spirit in the Sky” and “You Never Let Go.”
During the writing process, SK collaborated with many different writers. The varying perspectives helped make this album the best album I have seen from SK lyrically. A lot of their older worshipful music seemed less authentic to me, but there is a realness to the lyrics that cut through my preconceived notion of what a Stellar Kart worship album might sound like. These songs helped put me in a place of praise and adoration of God, especially “Rescue,” both lyrically and musically fantastic.
The cover songs that are included were not very exciting to me. I was looking forward to hearing the Stellar Kart spin on these well-known songs, but I didn’t find them well adapted to the SK sound. “We Shine” was too similar to the original by Fee.
Overall, “Everything is Different Now” is a good worship album with a few very high points mixed with some low points. Rhythmically, the songs can be unpredictable, which will keep you on your toes as a listener and engaged in what is going on in the music. If you are tired of the typical “church music” worship, give these guys a try.
Adam Agee shares the inspiration behind "Everything Is Different Now," the title track from Stellar Kart's forthcoming March 9, 2010 release:
"As the title track of the new album, the subject of this song is one that we can all relate to—change. The past year has been difficult for a lot of people, us included. With the economy failing, we’ve seen people lose their jobs, families lose their homes, and a general fear of uncertainty has caused our country to reevaluate the way we operate. We have experienced change, both good and bad, and have learned to trust God’s timing in all aspects of our lives and careers.
This song took on a whole new life at a youth camp we played this past summer. We played the song on the same night that the speaker was talking about earthly fathers and our heavenly father. So many people there had difficult childhoods growing up with abusive fathers or no father figure at all. It was so amazing to see the change in those kids that week knowing that our song played a small part in helping them experience a better life." --Adam Agee
Award-winning pop-rock band Stellar Kart releases its INO debut , the band’s fourth studio recording, Everything Is Different Now March 9. Unique to this project, Stellar Kart incorporates a more worshipful sound and vertical lyrics.
Produced by Dove Award-winning producer Ian Eskelin (Francesca Battistelli, Krystal Meyers), Everything Is Different Now is a unique collection of vertically minded songs that continue in the pop/rock tradition of Stellar Kart’s past work. However, instead of focusing on more relational matters, Everything Is Different Now takes a decidedly worshipful turn, a nod to the band’s roots.
“We had performed at a camp earlier in the summer before recording, and we really discovered that we loved leading worship for youth again,” says Stellar Kart frontman Adam Agee. “So we tried to find some of the songs that were our favorites and wrote a few new songs, too, and that eventually became Everything Is Different Now.”
Songs like the catchy opening track “All My Heart,” and the congregational-friendly “Rescue,” which Agee wrote with some friends from Hillsong United, keep the praise-focused theme front and center. The album’s lead single “We Shine,” currently Top 10 on the Billboard CHR chart, also reflects Stellar Kart’s foremost desire to glorify God.
“As a band, that’s exactly what we want to do in front of the adults, kids, anyone listening—shine,” says Agee. “We hope that everyone will shine his/her light and not be afraid or ashamed of what they believe.”
Stellar Kart will support its latest project on the winter/spring 2010 “Love & War Tour” alongside Fervent Records artist BarlowGirl as well as headlining the “Best Tour Ever Tour” late spring. For a complete list of tour dates, visit www.myspace.com/stellarkart.
Punk pop-rock band Stellar Kart launched onto the music scene with its 2005 Word Records debut, All Gas. No Brake. The project landed Stellar Kart a Gospel Music Association Dove Award nomination for Best New Artist, and the band was honored as New Artist of the Year by readers of Ignite Your Faith magazine. In 2006, Stellar Kart debuted at No. 1 on SoundScan’s Christian retail chart with its sophomore release, We Can’t Stand Sitting Down. Furthermore, the band’s single, “Me And Jesus,” held the No. 1 spot at Christian Hit Radio for seven consecutive weeks. The group also received a 2007 Dove Award for Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year (“Me And Jesus”) as well as three other nominations in the categories Artist of the Year, Rock Recorded Song (“Activate”), and Rock/Contemporary Album (We Can’t Stand Sitting Down). Additionally, Stellar Kart was recognized by SESAC with four 2007 National Performance Activity Awards.
Stellar Kart’s last release, Expect the Impossible (2008), debuted at No. 66 on the Billboard 200, spawning the tenth most played CHR song of 2008, “Jesus Loves You,” and garnering the band Dove Award nods for Rock Recorded Song ("Shine Like the Stars") and Rock Contemporary Album (Expect the Impossible). The foursome has toured alongside such CCM powerhouses as Kutless, newsboys, and Superchick, among others. For more information on Stellar Kart, visit: www.stellarkart.com or www.myspace.com/stellarkart.
Award-winning pop-rock outfit Stellar Kart has landed a new home with Nashville-based label, INO Records. The band will release its forth studio album, Everything Is Different Now, March 9, 2009.
A favorite among youth group circles, Stellar Kart looks forward to the next phase of its thriving career with INO’s support. “We've been through a lot in the past year and have been searching and praying for what God wants us to do with our ministry,” says Stellar Kart frontman Adam Agee. “We are now proud to say that we have found a home with INO Records! They understand and share our vision, and we can't wait to take on this new project together. We are very excited to see what God has in store for us as we enter this new chapter in our lives. Everything is different now.”
“We are extremely happy to welcome Stellar Kart to the INO family of artists,” says INO Records President Jeff Moseley. “I’m impressed with their heart for ministry, their tremendous work ethic and dedicated fan following. The guys have recorded what we believe is their best project to date, and we are excited to see its impact on youth around the world.”
Stellar Kart will kick off its new label partnership with the release of Everything Is Different Now this spring. The album’s first radio single “We Shine,” debuts at CHR Oct. 30, 2009 and will be available for purchase at iTunes beginning Nov. 3.
Punk pop-rock band Stellar Kart launched onto the music scene with its 2005 Word Records debut, All Gas. No Brake. The project landed Stellar Kart a Gospel Music Association Dove Award nomination for Best New Artist, and the band was honored as New Artist of the Year by readers of Ignite Your Faith magazine. In 2006, Stellar Kart debuted at No. 1 on SoundScan’s Christian retail chart with its sophomore release, We Can’t Stand Sitting Down.
Furthermore, the band’s single, “Me And Jesus,” held the No. 1 spot at Christian Hit Radio for seven consecutive weeks. The group also received a 2007 Dove Award for Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year (“Me And Jesus”) as well as three other nominations in the categories Artist of the Year, Rock Recorded Song (“Activate”), and Rock/Contemporary Album (We Can’t Stand Sitting Down). Additionally, Stellar Kart was recognized by SESAC with four 2007 National Performance Activity Awards.
Stellar Kart’s last release, Expect the Impossible (2008), debuted at No. 66 on the Billboard 200, spawning the tenth most played CHR song of 2008, “Jesus Loves You,” and garnering the band Dove Award nods for Rock Recorded Song ("Shine Like the Stars") and Rock Contemporary Album (Expect the Impossible). The foursome has toured alongside such CCM powerhouses as Kutless, newsboys, and Superchick, and is currently on “The Revolve Tour,” additionally featuring Britt Nicole and Group 1 Crew, among others. For more information on Stellar Kart, visit: www.stellarkart.com or www.myspace.com/stellarkart.
(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) Oct. 13, 2009--Award-winning pop-rock outfit Stellar Kart has landed a new home with Nashville-based label, INO Records. The band will release its forth studio album, Everything Is Different Now, March 9, 2009.
A favorite among youth group circles, Stellar Kart looks forward to the next phase of its thriving career with INO’s support. “We've been through a lot in the past year and have been searching and praying for what God wants us to do with our ministry,” says Stellar Kart frontman Adam Agee. “We are now proud to say that we have found a home with INO Records! They understand and share our vision, and we can't wait to take on this new project together. We are very excited to see what God has in store for us as we enter this new chapter in our lives. Everything is different now.”
“We are extremely happy to welcome Stellar Kart to the INO family of artists,” says INO Records President Jeff Moseley. “I’m impressed with their heart for ministry, their tremendous work ethic and dedicated fan following. The guys have recorded what we believe is their best project to date, and we are excited to see its impact on youth around the world.”
Stellar Kart will kick off its new label partnership with the release of Everything Is Different Now this spring. The album’s first radio single “We Shine,” debuts at CHR Oct. 30, 2009 and will be available for purchase at iTunes beginning Nov. 3.
Punk pop-rock band Stellar Kart launched onto the music scene with its 2005 Word Records debut, All Gas. No Brake. The project landed Stellar Kart a Gospel Music Association Dove Award nomination for Best New Artist, and the band was honored as New Artist of the Year by readers of Ignite Your Faith magazine. In 2006, Stellar Kart debuted at No. 1 on SoundScan’s Christian retail chart with its sophomore release, We Can’t Stand Sitting Down. Furthermore, the band’s single, “Me And Jesus,” held the No. 1 spot at Christian Hit Radio for seven consecutive weeks. The group also received a 2007 Dove Award for Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year (“Me And Jesus”) as well as three other nominations in the categories Artist of the Year, Rock Recorded Song (“Activate”), and Rock/Contemporary Album (We Can’t Stand Sitting Down). Additionally, Stellar Kart was recognized by SESAC with four 2007 National Performance Activity Awards.
Stellar Kart’s last release, Expect the Impossible (2008), debuted at No. 66 on the Billboard 200, spawning the tenth most played CHR song of 2008, “Jesus Loves You,” and garnering the band Dove Award nods for Rock Recorded Song ("Shine Like the Stars") and Rock Contemporary Album (Expect the Impossible). The foursome has toured alongside such CCM powerhouses as Kutless, newsboys, and Superchick, and is currently on “The Revolve Tour,” additionally featuring Britt Nicole and Group 1 Crew, among others. For more information on Stellar Kart, visit: www.stellarkart.com or www.myspace.com/stellarkart.
(NASHVILLE, TN) March 6, 2008 – This week, award-winning youth group rock band Stellar Kart made their debut at No. 3 on the Christian Soundscan chart and No. 66 on the Billboard Top 200 with their highly-anticipated third studio album, Expect The Impossible.
Produced by Ian Eskelin (Krystal Meyers, All Star United), who additionally co-wrote alongside lead singer Adam Agee on eight of the album’s 11 tracks, Expect The Impossible has already received rave reviews for its sonically diverse sound and straightforward message of faith.
Word Records’ punk pop rock band Stellar Kart launched onto the music scene with its 2005 release, All Gas. No Brake. The national debut landed Stellar Kart a Gospel Music Association Dove Award nomination for Best New Artist, and the band was honored as New Artist of the Year by readers of Ignite Your Faith magazine. In 2006, Stellar Kart debuted at No. 1 on SoundScan’s Christian retail chart with its sophomore release, We Can’t Stand Sitting Down. Furthermore, the band’s single, “Me And Jesus,” held the No. 1 spot at Christian Hit Radio for seven consecutive weeks. The group also received a 2007 Dove Award for Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year (“Me And Jesus”) as well as three other nominations in the categories Artist of the Year, Rock Recorded Song (“Activate”), and Rock/Contemporary Album (We Can’t Stand Sitting Down). Additionally, Stellar Kart was recognized by SESAC with four 2007 National Performance Activity Awards. Last spring the band opened on newsboys’ wildly popular “GO” tour.
Word Records’ punk pop rock band Stellar Kart debuted at No. 1 this week on SoundScan’s Christian retail chart following the July 25 release of its critically acclaimed sophomore album, We Can’t Stand Sitting Down.
In addition to a strong debut at retail, the band’s first single from the album, “Me & Jesus,” rocketed 11 spots this week to land in the Top 10 on R&R’s CHR radio chart with nearly 100 percent of the format is on board. The single currently claims a Top 10 position on CRW’s CHR chart, as well.
Stellar Kart’s “Activate,” also featured on We Can’t Stand Sitting Down, was the second most added at Rock radio this week.
