LABEL:  2012 CATAPULT
RELEASE DATE:  APRIL 24, 2012

Rapper Jeff McIntosh, better known as 737, delivers a solid sophomore effort                               with his new independent release Convinced.    The Indiana native’s second album seeks to speak truth about being a Christian and trusting in God.   737 collaborates with some of Christian Hip Hop’s biggest names including J’son, Dillon Chase and D-Maub.

The album’s theme is based on Romans 8:38-39, where Paul declares that nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus.  McIntosh’s own trials of the past year, which include family death, were experiences that helped to birth the album’s concept.  The album has two main objectives, to challenge believers to live their live trusting in Jesus and second to challenge to non-believers to begin to trust in Jesus.

The album begins with “Let’s Go,” an up-tempo track that showcases 737’s ability to speed rap.  I love the fact that you can hear the reading of Romans 8:38-39, the albums theme, as the song is playing.  “Even when life is completely a mess, persecution, famine or disorder nothing will keep me from the Lord,” 737 rhymes.  This high energy song also features strings and electronic beats which give the song a nice sound.

“My Story” is a standout track on which 737 describes his own struggles before becoming a Christian.  The song describes how a person can feel emptiness in their life despite some of the pleasures that sin can bring.   “Nothing seems to satisfy got me wondering why, questions rise wondering where will I go when I die,” he rhymes.   This is a track that should appeal to a younger market as many will be able to relate to the struggle that 737 went through in his journey to Christianity.

Other standouts on the album include the title track “Convinced,” “Eternal Life” and “Beauty of Ashes”.  The album has a number of slow tracks which I really liked.  I felt these songs were best suited or 737’s flow.  Outside of the first track Let’s Go, a number of the up-tempo tracks felt a little cheesy.

Overall Convinced is a solid project that should really appeal with a younger market.  The project is not perfect, but it is solid enough that I recommend giving it a listen.