Review: Formed in 1996, Gresham, OR-based Contemporary Christian male quartet Rescue dedicated themselves to a ministry of learning, writing and performing a cappella songs. Now, 6 excellent CDs and one live DVD in the PAC catalog, and a whole lot of wonderful live performances later, "Before the Throne" shows just how well these talented, deeply spiritual men have fulfilled their commitment. "Before" has 10 richly-harmonic songs that feature state-of-the-art vocal percussion by group members Brandon, Jason and Steve, and some of the best faux trumpet (actually, it sounds like a whole trumpet section) we've heard on the title tune and "Somebody's Watchin'." Other favorites are an original by group member Brian Sell, "I Cry," "Unleashed" by Wm. Barfield and Scott Krippayne (with added lyrics by Brian and Jason), Nicole Nordeman's lovely "Please Come," "How Great" by Ed Cash (a live cut that features audience call and response), Chris Tomlin and James Reeves; Lincoln Brewster's "Love the Lord," Nathan Arnold' "Grace" and Laurie Klein's gorgeous "I Love You, Lord." A welcome surprise is the 11th "tune," a tour-de-force beatbox talk and demonstration by Brandon Bell. Powerful and beautiful - another winner from Rescue!

Songlist: Unleashed, I Cry, Before The Throne, Please Come, Somebody's Watchin', How Great, Love The Lord, For You, Grace, I Love You Lord, Percussion: Articulated

Review: Seven-track EP, released in 1999. Simple ballads, such as the title track (also the group's name, must be the theme) and 'Amazing Grace' set a reverent tone of obeisance. The percussive 'Kum-Bah-Yah,' at under a minute in length, is less a song than an interlude, but it and 'Obey Him' show the quartet in light rock mode. Skillfully produced and arranged, their sound is full and reverberant, but allows enough room (and silence) for the songs to breathe.

Songlist: Amazing Grace, Obey Him, Rescue, Kum-Bah-Jam, I Will Rise, By His Hand, It Is Good (reprise)

Review: "The Difference" is Gresham, Oregon-based Rescue's 4th CD, and their best yet. One major difference is the introduction of a fifth male voice, bass/vocal Percussion expert Tim Storms, who has added tremendous depth to Rescue's all a cappella sound. What has returned is Rescue's powerful original material and arrangements--some of the strongest lyrics about their personal commitment to and love for Jesus we've heard. 10 songs: "So Excited," the title tune, "When the Chariot Comes" and "Come As You Are" our two favorites, "From the Beginning," the deeply personal "Darkest Hour," "Whatever is True," "I Choose You," "So Subtly" and "The Lord's Prayer." A full, rich, soulful sound, perfect intonation, top-drawer arranging, lyrics that are pure poetry - it all makes "The Difference" one of the best Contemporary Christian CDs we've heard. Recommended.

Songlist: So Excited, The Difference, When the Chariot Comes, Come As You Are, From the Beginning, Darkest Hour, Whatever Is True, I Choose You, So Subtly, The Lord's Prayer

Review: Gresham, Oregon-based Contemporary Christian group Rescue is Josh McKenney, Jason McKenney, Jason Pearce and Jason Overstreet, and 'First' is in fact their third most impressive CD. There are some Christmas carols in here, for sure, notably 'Silent Night,' 'O Holy Night,' 'Go Tell It On The Mountain,' 'O Come All Ye Faithful' and 'Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,' but the arrangements of these are such that you are hearing them for the first time. But the original songs, some by group members, are the meat of this powerful CD, and of Rescue's ministry. 'Christmas To Remember,' 'The First Christmas,' 'In Your Care' and 'Mary Did You Know' - with the telling lyric, 'Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod? When you kiss your little baby you've kissed the face of God' remind us that the first Christmas meant much more than toys, tinsel and Santa.

Songlist: Christmas To Remember, The First Christmas, Mary, Did You Know?, Silent Night, Go, Tell it on the Mountain, O Holy Night, It Is He, O Come All Ye Faithful, In Your Care, Have Your Self A Merry Little Christmas

Review: Facile Contemporary Christian pop, turned out with absolute precision and sincerity. Occupying a niche somewhere between Acappella and Go Fish, this male quartet shares the same knack for constructing solid melodies and flowing progressions. 'You Are There' and 'Quiet, Quiet' are reflective ballads, whereas 'The Way, The Truth, The Life' simmers along with a slapped vocal bass and subtle fingersnaps; many of the songs have vocal percussion, but it's low profile. The arrangements are detailed and complex, creating a richly dimensional and spacious feeling. The group's intonation and timing, which must be innately mastered for these challenging arrangements to work, is just that.

Songlist: Paint Me a Picture, 2000 Years Ago, You Are There, Quiet Quiet, The Way, The Truth, The Life, God's Eyes, The Only One, In the Cool, What If, Shine On Us