The personal heartaches that fueled
The Face of Love appear to have come full circle, leading to the healing and closure that are explored on
Sanctus Real's follow-up record,
We Need Each Other. With the hurt of losing loved ones behind them, the band issued a call for unity and understanding that seems to transcend political and spiritual boundaries. While it isn't the action-oriented message of
David Crowder Band's
Remedy,
We Need Each Other offers consolation on a personal level. The album is lush and reverberating without being lazy. If opening track "Turn on the Lights" makes it sound like the record will be a hard-rocking affair, it is mere misdirection. The rock elements are more sparse and refined, which keeps
Sanctus Real from taking themselves too seriously. The vibrant worship ballad "Eternal" is the band at its best, expressing trust in God's promise to always be with us. Other gems include "Sing" and the title track, both of which were destined to become fan favorites on tour.
We Need Each Other mixes the best qualities of
Switchfoot's
Oh! Gravity and
the Afters' Never Going Back to OK to make the album mature yet accessible to fans of modern Christian rock. ~ Jared Johnson