Sevenglory's debut was right down the line, a dependable and confident mix of AC pop/rock. Barely a stone's throw away from the likes of
Building 429 and
Matchbox Twenty,
Over the Rooftops made no promises to bend genres or transform Christian music in any way. Instead, the band focused on one-on-one connections with youth at their shows. The pureness of their guitar-bred sound, rather than forcing additional instrumentation or clumsy arrangements, was a strength. If the album existed in a vacuum, it might well be remembered for its post-grunge treatment of what is at the heart of Christian music fans: discipleship. As it was, the album was made available to the public two years after its recordings. As a result, it was largely overlooked because, during that time, the CCM scene was giving way to the layered alternative rock of the
David Crowder Band and others.
Over the Rooftops set the stage for a more far-reaching and ambitious effort on the band's sophomore release, the high-octane
Atmosphere. ~ Jared Johnson