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Ambient pop-rock 
Sparrow Records
Distributed in South Africa by Maranatha Record Company
Review by Treebeard
Hailing from Tyler, Texas, Luminate was formed in the fall of 2005 by two students attending Visible School of Music in Memphis, TN. They officially launched their full-time musical career with their self-titled EP and an extensive Midwest tour including festivals, high schools, camps, all-age venues and churches.
"Bright and Beautiful" followed in 2007, bringing a new and fresh outlook on their ministry and drive. Their third independent release "Miracle" released in June 2008, and was re-released in 2010 as their self-titled debut EP by Sparrow Records. It speaks of the urgency of rising up against the mediocrity of today's view of the Christian walk and lifestyle, stressing that our time to act is now: It's Our Time to embrace hope, destiny and a revolutionary relationship with our Creator.
Follow up:
Singer/lyricist/rhythm guitarist, Sam Hancock, writes poignant and meaningful lyrics with anthemic choruses that usher crowds into a corporate experience with God. Lead guitarist Cody Clark complements the melodies with reverb and delay-laden guitar riffs, while keyboardist/background vocalist Dustin DeLong adds ambient warm touches. Mix in the rhythmic bass lines of Dusty Jakubik and the power of drummer Aaron Mathew, and a song of vision, faith and thirst for God is sung.
Drawing from a wide range of influences in British rock and modern worship music, Luminate’s catchy pop/rock sound pays homage to artists including U2, The Fray, Switchfoot and The Killers. “We’ve recorded a mixture of what we grew up listening to and what we’ve discovered together as a band,” Cody shares. “Instinctively, we like writing songs that people can sing to, but more importantly, we want to write songs that are honest.”
Since the group brings so many creative ideas to the table, the band's sound has a timbre all its own. Best described as passionate, stirring and worshipful, Luminate's musical core is formed around an ambient rock sound. Their songs challenge us to rise above the apathy in today's society, and to pursue our dreams with purpose, while reminding us our lives and what we do has worth.
The word love is often used far too carelessly in today's society. As a result, what once was the ultimate expression of affection and concern for another is now diluted. Luminate is on a mission to change that. For this band love is an action.
“Love isn’t just a word we say to be cool and trendy,” says Hancock. “It’s an action that demonstrates the love of Christ. After all, Jesus didn’t just talk about love, He lived it through His action", the awesome truth behind "Innocent", the catchy opener to their brand-new album Come Home:
What if You would've never sent Your Son
What if You held back Your love
It would be so different
There would be no hope for us
But that's not the way it all went down
Love, and the personal appropriation of God's love, also ends the album ("This Is Love"):
This is love, keeping me awake tonight
This is love, I can't free you from my mind
'Cause I've never felt a part of something greater than myself
Until now
Between these two bookends are 10 other songs, all springing from this love; from the heartfelt response to "Innocent" vocalised in "Healing In Your Arms" to the the implied challenge of "What I Live For" to the the regret-tinted "New Beginnings", always with hope in sight ("Hope Is Rising"):
Every prison has a door
Every captive can be free
Every sinner has a hope
And hope is rising up in me
Luminate has that rare ability to write songs from personal experience of the Christian life (both the good and the bad), that somehow manages to vocalise the heart cry of every other believer (and unbelievers). Add to that their knack for writing songs that speaks to both the faithful and the seeker, leaving listeners with a deep longing for the Author of love, and you have an album that deserves to be heard!
Come Home is an album for everyone who feels there must be more to this life, especially the believer who has already travelled some way on the road of grace. This side of heaven we can never say we have "arrived", and the 12 songs on Come Home will surely rekindle your hunger for a deeper spiritual life.
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