Album Review: “Hawk Nelson is My Friend” by Hawk Nelson

Here they go again! The Canadian “pop-punk” group is back at their guitar-jamming, drum-pounding ways with their third studio album, Hawk Nelson is My Friend. I now will give you a song-by-song review and then give my disc review.

1.  ”You Have What I Need”-The band goes back to a formula that is similar to the songs “The One Thing I Have Left” and “Like a Racecar” on their previous albums. It is possibly my favorite song on the album.
2. “Friend Like That”-A great guitar riff gets us started on a great, peppy, fun song. It praises God for being a friend “that can set me free.” I like it……
3. “Turn It On”-It’s another song that has a similar ring to it, like “Late Show” on Letters to the President. It’s a fun song too with also some good guitar. A good dance song like “Bring ‘Em Out.”
4. “One Little Miracle”-Similar to “Zero” and “Everything You Ever Wanted”, this song talks about hardships and that there is a possibility that “one little miracle” could “get us through.” It’s a good song to listen to when you’re down because it brings you up.
5. “Let’s Dance”-A review I read called this song “the worst song on the record” in a review where he gave it a 1-star grade. It’s not exactly thought-provoking, except the line: “Money is the god we work for.” Then I had to listen a little closer. It doesn’t really make much sense after that.
6. “Ancient History”-Not many songs use a class name to draw you in, but this time it helped. It’s Jason Dunn singing once again about guy-girl angst. It’s pretty poppy and fun. I like it.
7. “Somebody Else”-A song of lament about who the singer used to be to a girlfriend, I think. “I used to be somebody else…the people around me, they all seem to tell me, that I tend to change like the seasons.” Very nice soft song, for Hawk Nelson that is.
8. “Arms Around Me”-A song asking God to “wrap your arms around me.” A good soft song.
9. “Just Like Me”-Jason Dunn is getting mad at a girl because he is “just like” him. Not my favorite.
10. “Not the Same”-After examining the lyrics, it looks a lot like “Zero.” It’s a song about the past, but with a twist: “Though it’s not the same without you.” Good song, not my favorite, but better than “Just Like Me” and “Let’s Dance.”
11. “Words We Speak”-I honestly don’t get this song. Good sound though.
12. “I Still Miss You”-Battles with “You Have What I Need” for best song on the album. Song about the lead singer who loses his grandma to cancer and still trusting God while mourning her death.

Overall: “Hawk Nelson is My Friend” is probably this Canada-based group’s weakest output so far. “You Have What I Need” and “I Still Miss You” are two songs worth listening to, while “Friend Like That” is pretty infectious and well-done. Othwerwise, this lacks mainstream potential and is not really my favorite. Check out their previous albums, “Letters to the President” and “Smile, It’s the End of the World”, to see a better sampling of Hawk Nelson music.

I need to give this a grade like FF5’s album.

Grade: B-