Amanda Ashby grew up singing in many kid’s choirs and
musicals. She was accepted into the
Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati. Amanda is based in Greenville, South
Carolina. Her website states: “Amanda
Ashby’s passion surfaces through her sincere lyrics and vibrant melodies. Her music is a transparent window to the
soul...Simply put, she connects with her audiences, leading them into authentic
and true worship.” Amanda has just
released a seven song ep entitled SCREAMIN’ (2013, INOV8 Music Group).
‘Don’t Let Me Down’ is a Christian rock song with a
punch. Lyrically, it is about spiritual
renewal: “Flashes of light that I once remember, glimpses of a passion
consumed/Ripping my soul, my spirit falters, I can’t control this burning in me.../Can
you see it?/Can you hear it coming like a rushing wind?/Fire in me is
burning/Burn it all through me again.”
Next up is Amanda’s cover of the terrific praise and worship song ‘The
Anthem’ by The Planet Shakers. It
declares, without question, who Christ is and what He has done: “Hallelujah,
You have won the victory/Hallelujah, You have won it all for me/Death could not
hold You down/You are the risen King/Seated in majesty/You are the risen
King.” Musically, ‘Through it All’
reminds me of Twila Paris’ lighter fare.
This song finds Amanda pressing into the Lord: “Desperately seeking more
of You, more of You/Watching my tears fall on You, fall on You/Come and break
these chains that overwhelm/With me always I believe/And I will praise You all
of my days/I will give You all of my praise/Undo me and help my unbelief.”
The title track, ‘Screamin’, is a dazzling heavy rock track
with good electric guitar work. These
words remind us of the necessity and difficulty of submitting our will to
God’s: “I have scattered visions invading my soul/Trying to focus on the One
who makes me whole/Pursuing His dreams, pursuing His goals/Afraid to admit I
can’t do it alone/Blinded by pride, it darkened my sight/Surrendering my
life.../Come release me, surrender all my dreams/Come rescue me, surrendering
all of me.” ‘Lullaby’ is one of two
songs on the ep written by Amanda’s husband Grady. It imagines God gently offering words of
comfort to a person with a troubled heart: “When life has caused you too much
pain/Your dreams will take you away/As you fade off peacefully/You’ll find
you’re here with Me/Hush now, sleep now/Don’t you cry/You’re only a moment
away/Hush now, sleep now/Close your eyes/Sleep, dream, you’re free.”
‘Breathe’, one of four songs penned solely by Amanda, is
tender sounding and features keys. These
words paint a picture of intimacy with God: “The fears, the doubts, the
insecurities/All loyalties are set aside, my spirit longing to abide with
You/Not a word is spoken, though I feel Your breath on my skin/Silently holding
my hand, You’re drawing me in/Breathe on me once again.” The last song, ‘Redeemed’, is really top
notch. It has no chorus and is the most
artistic and appropriately dramatic.
This song makes it clear that a spiritual prodigal can indeed come back
to the Father: “Haunted by the brighter days of when I believed/In Christ, the
Son of Man, God, and all His enemies/But blinded by my foolish, lying ways/I
numbed my faith/Now I walk, I walk these streets alone/Of my reality/I’m
wasting all my time, as the demons rise inside/And battle over me.../So I pray,
Lord how I pray to be redeemed/And I fight, I’m fighting for my life and my
sanity/I ain’t wasting no more time, I’m coming forth tonight/As I begin to
scream/I believe.”
SCREAMIN’ was produced by Sean Hill of Uphill Studios, mixed
by Tony Palacios of Guardian fame, and mastered by Scott Sanchez. Amanda has a real strong voice that is suited
both to rock music and praise and worship music. It is encouraging to see young people such as
herself serving the Lord with their talents.
If you have a teenage daughter, you should get this ep that is
contemporary and focused on God, into her hands. I look forward to hearing more from Amanda in
the future. I’m rating SCREAMIN’ 86% and
recommending it to fans of Fireflight and Krystal Meyers. For more info visit www.amandaashbymusic.com and www.inov8music.com.