Stare the Monster Down
DELIRIOUS?

Producer(s): Martin Smith, Stuart Garrard, Sam Gibson
Writer(s): Martin Smith, Stuart Garrard, Jon Thatcher
Label: Sparrow

Over the years, comparisons between Delirious? and Irish rock band U2 have flooded reviews, slowly giving the illusion that the band is capable of more than crafting worship anthems. With the dawning of Kingdom of Comfort, that lie has become truth by more than mere repetition. UK radio has picked up the thrilling “Stare the Monster Down” to become 2008’s summer rocker, and I don’t blame them – I’ll be the first to admit that I am heavily biased towards songs about people’s troubles, e.g. heartbreak, absentee fathers, and of course, cancer, the inspiration for “Stare.” Yet there’s more to this song – perhaps its poignant melody, the healthily electrifying rift, or throwback to 80’s joyfulness – that keeps me listening beyond the subject matter. I cannot help but smile at the marketability of all this; are they trying to cater to the U2 comparison? …if doing so translates to more tunes like this one, then sign me up.

Verdict: 5/5

- Clem