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Group Name: Triumphant Quartet
Website: www.triumphantquartet.com
Album Title: “Everyday”
Song Titles:

1. Jesus Built This Church On Love
2. Everyday
3. Somebody Died For Me
4. Amazed At The Change
5. Do You Know That You Know?
6. When The Trumpet Sounds
7. One Drop Of Blood
8. God’s Home
9. What A Wonderful Day
10. The Day Of Our Lord

The Triumphant Quartet has been in existence since 2003.  They began their ministry performing in the Louise Mandrell Theater in Pigeon Forge, TN.  They were originally known as the Integrity Quartet, but they changed their name to Triumphant in 2004- the same year they signed with Daywind Records.  The group and it’s members have been nominated for- and have received- numerous awards over the past few years.  The group’s direction changed in 2008, though.  Instead of performing at The Miracle Theater (formerly the Louise Mandrell Theater), the group has now gone on the road full-time.  Current- and founding- group members are David Sutton (tenor), Clayton Inman (lead), Clayton’s son Scott Inman (baritone), Eric Bennett (bass), and Jeff Stice (piano).

“Everyday” is the group’s latest album, co-produced by Wayne Haun and Jeff Stice.  It consists of 10 songs, each of which is guaranteed to catch the listener’s ear.  The album cover has a nicely modern look to it that includes a clear shot of the group.

Now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for: THE SONGS!

The first song is a medium-tempo rendition of “Jesus Built This Church On Love”.  This is a bit out of the ordinary- many groups will start an album out on an up-tempo note.  This song is done with an organ and choir background, and tenor vocalist David Sutton is featured.  Next up is the up-tempo “Everyday”.  This is the album’s title track as well as the first single released to radio.  This song is extremely well done and will be one that makes listeners hit the “repeat” button several times.  Song #3 slows the tempo down as baritone vocalist Scott Inman is featured on “Somebody Died For Me”.  This power ballad fits Scott’s smooth vocals to perfection, and I like the way that the message in the song is conveyed through the lyrics.  The fourth song is a medium-tempo previously recorded by the Liberty Quartet on their latest album.  I enjoyed Liberty’s version, and Triumphant’s version compares very well.  Lead vocalist Clayton Inman is featured on this song, and fans of Southern Gospel know that Clayton has one of the most distinctive vocals in the industry.  His voice has power without being overwhelming.  He definitely provides a solid basis for the group’s sound.

Song #5 is another up-tempo song called “Do You Know That You Know?”.  This is a fun song with a good message.  This is followed by another up-tempo song called “When The Trumpet Sounds”.  Tenor vocalist David Sutton is featured on the lead parts and verses, and his strong, full-voice tenor vocals are really make this song.  The seventh song is a slower ballad called “One Drop Of Blood”.  This is the album’s first full feature for bass vocalist Eric Bennett.  It’s a bass lead, which most groups don’t attempt to do.  Aside from being one of the lowest bass vocalists in the industry, Eric is also one of the smoothest bass vocalists in the industry.  This song shows off that smoothness and once again reiterates the truth that basses don’t have to be excessively low to be good.

The eighth song speeds the tempo back up.  “God’s Home” is an up-tempo song that features some strong quartet singing.  Song #9 is a medium-tempo song that sounds like something you’d hear in a theater setting.  David Sutton and Eric Bennett alternate taking the lead on “What A Wonderful Day”.  This song gives us a listen to the softer side of the group’s vocals.  Finally, the album ends with a fully-orchestrated, medium-tempo power ballad called “The Day Of Our Lord”.

In my humble and honest opinion, “Everyday” will probably go down as one of the best albums to come out in the year 2009.  I think that Triumphant has definitely raised the bar with this album.  The vocals are spot on throughout, and the song selection incorporates a nice variety of tempos and styles.  This is an album that every Southern Gospel fan needs to have in their collection. 

Thanks go to Daywind Records for the opportunity to review this album.  Overall, I would give this album a rating of 10 out of 10 microphones!

Favorites: “Everyday”, “Somebody Died For Me”, “When The Trumpet Sounds”, and “God’s Home”