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Group Name: Akins
Website: www.theakinsonline.com
Album Title: “Good Tired”
Song Titles:

1. Good Tired
2. Make A Difference In This World
3. When You’re In Love
4. Good To Know It’s Not The End
5. It Is Well With My Soul
6. Peeples Road
7. We Only Have Today
8. The Cross Gives Me Hope
9. I Stand In Awe
10. Blessed Assurance
11. Look Around

The Akins are an up-and-coming family group based out of the state of Georgia.  The group consists of David Akin (piano, acoustic guitar, vocals) and his three sons: Dave (bass guitar, vocals), Nick (drums, acoustic guitar, vocals), and Eli (electric guitar, acoustic guitar, sax, keyboards, mandolin, drums, vocals).

“Good Tired” is the group’s debut album.  The music has a progressive sound with a country flair.  I like the fact that they took the time to make the CD cover in booklet form with the song lyrics included inside.  I know that this is an extra expense for groups, so I appreciate having it to refer to.  Of the 11 songs on the album, 8 were either written or co-written by one of the Akins themselves.

That having been said, let’s take a look at the songs on the album.

Starting things off is a medium-tempo ballad called “Good Tired”.  The song is a bit long at 5 minutes and 8 seconds, but it’s worth it as the message of the song is brought full circle with the last verse and chorus.  The tempo speeds up for the second song, “Make A Difference In This World”.  The verses are build around numerous rhyming words, which immediately catches the listener’s attention.  The vocals are well done as well, with some smooth transitions from unison to harmony singing.  The tempo stays the same for Song #3, “When You’re In Love”.  Again, the vocals are well-done here, and the arrangement will have listeners tapping their feet from the get-go.  This leads into a slower, lighter ballad called “Good To Know It’s Not The End”.  This is a song with a comforting message to anyone who has experienced the loss of a friend or loved one.

Song #5 is a beautiful rendition of the classic hymn “It Is Well With My Soul”.  The first half of the song is done a cappella, which gives us a chance to really focus on the group’s vocals.  Their blend and harmonies are smooth and nicely done- a pleasure to listen to.  And the transition to a mildly driving arrangement for the second half of the song was a nice touch, in my opinion.  Next up is an entirely instrumental arrangement called “Peeple’s Road”.  The guys are very talented when it comes to the instruments they play, and this particular song only lasts about a minute and a half- just about perfect for an instrumental cut on a vocal album.  However, I personally think it would have been better placed at the end of the album instead of in the middle.  The seventh song is an up-tempo number called “We Only Have Today”, and it’s followed by a slower ballad called “The Cross Gives Me Hope”.  This song has a slightly different feel than the previous songs, and it ranks as one of my favorites on the album.

The ninth song is the Akins’ rendition of the popular Praise & Worship song, “I Stand In Awe”.  It’s done in a mostly acoustic arrangement that fits the group’s vocals and style very well.  This is followed by a powerful rendition of the old hymn “Blessed Assurance”.  It starts off with just vocals and piano, transitions into a instrumental interlude that includes a saxophone as the lead instrument, and then finishes off with powerful vocals and accompaniment.  I must say that I really enjoy the Akins renditions of the older hymns they included on the album.  The album ends with the group’s first single, and up-tempo patriotic song called “Look Around”. 

There’s no doubt that the Akins have a bright future in Gospel music.  I like the fact that they write most of their own music.  Most of their songs seem to be the type where you have to listen all the way through to get the complete message, but it’s well worth it.  Vocally, they have a fresh sound with excellent blend.  Some of the songs are a bit on the lengthy side, but nothing major.  Overall, I would give this album a 9 out of 10 microphones!

Favorites: “Make A Difference In This World”, “It Is Well With My Soul”, “The Cross Gives Me Hope” and “Blessed Assurance”