| Musical Style: Hard Rock | Produced By: Chris Dickens |
| Record Label: Independent | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 2025 | Artist Website: Mission Of One |
| Tracks: 10 | Rating: 80% |
| Running Time: 36:18 |
June of 2025 sixth Mission Of One album Talkin’ ‘Bout Jesus sports a blues based hard rock sound and all the catchy hooks and riffs you could ask but also does not give rise to similar levels of production refinement as recent releases from hard rock contemporaries Under The Blood and Hammerdown. The ‘one man band’ project of Watertown, Tennessee based guitarist, bassist and lead vocalist Chris Dickens warrants said comparison from artist bringing a similar lower register and gritty - almost baritone - vocal style not unlike Under The Blood and Hammerdown front men Glenn Montis (former) and Walt Combs and Dion Colucci (both latter). Musically, Talkin’ ‘Bout Jesus might back from some of the heavier metal trending of recent Mission Of One albums Kill The Cobra (85% Angelic Warlord review) and Hostile To The Gospel (80% review) from 2023 and 2013, respectively, for a bluesy affinity akin to Resurrection Band, Stevie & The Saints and ZZ Top but delivers no less musical acumen. From a lyrical standpoint Talkin’ ‘Bout Jesus stays true to its namesake in such regard.
Dickens got his start in 2004 under the Missionary One heading for debut full length Take Another Swig prior to switching to the Mission Of One moniker and following up the following year with sophomore effort Show Me The Way (75%) and 2008 third full length offering Mission Of One (80%). In between, artist released two acclaimed albums of slide box guitar driven traditional blues-rock under the name Big Chris & D'Bare Bones Band for 2016 debut When Your Time Comes (85%) and 2018 follow up effort Man Overboard (80%).
Do not be dissuaded as it pertains to production in that while on the raw side allows the Mission Of One energy to stand out that much further. Regardless, mix allows room for pertinent details such as lead guitar, bass and drums to separate while providing for crisp rhythm guitar and focused low end.
“Chip Off The Old Block” gets album off to a strong start as a barebones hard rocker, invigorated its three minutes by needlelike rhythm guitar and whetted bass in setting the churning tone to follow. Similar to much of albums material, hooks are not of a commercial form but incontestable nonetheless. In other words, no repetition despite the barebones environs.
Albums title track ensues in similar vein, earthy and edgy as energy flows freely and riffs define with a commanding presence. The bottom heavy and melodic groove to prevail helps the worshipful flavorings to “Talkin’ ‘Bout Jesus” further impart. Lead guitar roots in a grainy blues flavor not unlike Stevie & The Saints. Lyric snippet:
He is the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords
The Rock of Ages--His Word is a sword
Creator of Life, He holds the world in His Hand
He is the living God who walked among men
His name is Wonderful, Counselor, the Prince of Peace
He is the author of love and righteousness
He’s the Holy One, only Son; He’s faithful/truthful and just
In Him you can put your trust
I’m talkin’ ‘bout Jesus!
“The Real Thing” represents three and half minutes of vim and vigor. Elevated with an up-tempo flair, song crunches its span with frenzied guitar fury, gravelly vocals and hooks of an unambiguous form. Imagine Rez Band with elevated ZZ Top like bluesy lead guitar swagger.
Ensuing heavy rocking cover to classic hymn “No, Not One” embodies the worshipful flair to the original but in an obviously much more up to date musical orienting. Brazen riffs and bold low end command as the recognizable ‘No, not one! No, not one!’’ melody directs in commanding fashion. All the while, a classically influenced bass line charges the low end. Lyric snippet:
Jesus knows all about our struggles,
He will guide till the day is done;
There's not a friend like the lowly Jesus -
No, not one! no, not one!
No friend like Him is so high and holy -
No, not one! no, not one!
And yet no friend is so meek and lowly -
No, not one! no, not one!
“I’d Do It All Again” follows as one of albums strongest numbers. Extended past five and half minutes, it revels in swarthy and plodding bass heavy blues rock as artist takes a complementary baritone vocal focus and melody enlivens with its impassioned feel. Guest guitarist Dmitry Strakhov provides the shredding blues tinged soloing.
“The Hounds Of Heaven” embodies another grainy and straightforward hard rocker, freight train like with its driving rhythms but also besetting in terms of the pulsating bass imparted low-end groove. Swarthy feel to the deeply resonant refrain helps rank it among albums heaviest. In the end, what we have is a quintessential quality deep cut. Lyric snippet:
The hounds of heaven are on the move again
They smell my unbelief and the stench of my sin
The hounds of heaven chase me night and day
They won’t give in until I follow You in faith
The Lord’s the huntsman who longs to capture me
He released the hounds who are ever circling
I can’t believe; yet, I hear His voice
Calling to my heart ‘til He’s my only choice!
“Hands & Feet” carries over the assailing disposition. With pressing momentum leading the way, song revels in forthright hooks and torrid riffs alongside duel ardent lead guitar runs- Dickens is underrated as a blues heavy rock soloist. The verve on this one borders on infectious.
Likewise, “Fire Me Up”, a traditional bluesy heavy stomper superheated with shuffling bass, slide guitar and seething impetus to spare. This one best captures the hybrid at times bluesy and others metal feverish gusto to Stevie & The Saints. Reiterated play reveals “Fire Me Up” to remain firmly fixed in your mind. Lyric snippet:
My Spirit seems so dry like an arid desert land
Is there no oasis to refresh this weary man?
I feel so desolate, afraid, and all alone
So I’m crying out to You, Lord
Break through this heart of stone!
May Your Spirit revive me; bring life to these dry bones
Fill me with Your presence like a powerful cyclone!
My heart’s a barren wasteland--make it something You can use
Water me with Your Word until I’m bearing holy fruit!
“Need A Miracle” revisits hard rock territory. Hardy with its staunch but vitalized impetus, song revels in melodic sensibilities - noting the lithe bass line - but fails to back from the durable guitar premised underpinnings. Artist decorates things front to back with his splintering licks and chops.
Album closes strongly to showstopper “Flyin’ High”. Clashing symbols to start give way to the instinctive mid-paced force conveying the compelled verse sections, with an about face made to the swarthy tinctures dominating the deeply vibrant
‘we’ll all be flyin’ high’ refrain. I sense an eighties metal feel to his one. Bo Fawbush (Hard Road) handles the distinctive guitar leads. Lyric snippet:
All the saints who have passed away will come out of their graves
What a sight to see! The whole world will stand amazed
Jesus Christ will gather all the faithful who remain
We’ll rise to meet Him in the air; He’ll call us each by name!
Will you be ready for that coming day
When this world is thrown in disarray?
Will you be saved from judgment and wrath
Or continue down Hell’s destructive path?
If interested in a raw and gritty blues infused hard rock album then look no further than Talkin’ ‘Bout Jesus from Mission Of One. Catchy hooks and refuse to depart riffs imbue songwriting along with shuffling bass and artists middle register to baritone vocal abilities. Musically, there is not a bad song here. Yes, album presents with some production rawness, which others serves to elevate the brimming energy to hold sway. I look forward to hearing more from Mission Of One.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Chip Off The Old Block” (3:09), “Talkin’ ‘Bout Jesus” (3:02), “The Real Thing” (3:34), “No, Not One” (3:30), “I’d Do It All Again” (5:31), “The Hounds Of Heaven” (3:45), “Hands & Feet” (3:16), “Fire Me Up” (4:14), “Need A Miracle” (3:24), “Flyin’ High” (4:18)
Musicians
Chris Dickens - Lead Vocals, Rhythm & Lead Guitar, Bass & Drum Programming
Additional Musicians
Bo Fawbush - Lead guitar
Dmitry Strakhov- Lead Guitar
