Stones (Manafest album)
| Stones | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by Manafest | ||||
| Released | July 21, 2017 | |||
| Genre | Christian hip hop, rap rock, alternative rock, hard rock | |||
| Length | 39:02 | |||
| Label | Manafest Productions | |||
| Producer | Seth Mosley, Michael X O'Conner, Adam Messinger, Wally Gagel, Xandy Barry, Lenny Skolnik, Joel Piper | |||
| Manafest chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Professional ratings | |
|---|---|
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| CCM Magazine |    [1] |
| The Christian Beat | [2] |
| Jesus Freak Hideout | [3][4][5] |
| New Release Today | [6] |
| Shockwave Magazine | (Favorable)[7] |
Stones is the ninth studio album by the Christian rapper Manafest. It was independently released on July 21, 2017.[8][9] The release was fan-funded through a Kickstarter campaign and is Manafest's second fully independent album since his departure from BEC Recordings.[10][11]
Regarding the album's name, Manafest stated, "I called this record Stones because I feel like people can relate to having stones, obstacles, or even false claims, thrown at them. I think the Scripture in John 8:7 paints this picture clearly when Jesus says 'He who is without sin, throw the first stone' and I might not throw stones literally, but I think it in my mind or I say things that I shouldn't that I know has a similar effect."[11]
Background
On October 5, 2015, Manafest released three bonus tracks via PledgeMusic to those who supported his 2015 album Reborn. The second track given to fans was a demo song entitled "I Won't Give Up". It was retitled "Won't Give Up" and musically altered before debuted as a single on April 29, 2016.[12][13] This track eventually went on to be the closing track for the album Stones.[8]
On February 20, 2017, Manafest launched a Kickstarter project for a new album entitled Stones.[14][15][10] On the same day, Manafest also released the title track to fans (via email and Dropbox) who had supported his previous fan-funded projects. A mere three days after the campaign started, Manafest announced and released a Music/Lyric video hybrid for the title track "Stones".[16][17]
On May 2, 2017, Stones was officially released for pre-order via iTunes[18] and the album artwork was debuted. On March 7, 2017, Manafest released a behind-the-scenes making of the Stones album cover.[19]
On March 19, 2017, the album reached 100% funded and accomplished the campaign's first pledge goal.[20]
On March 21, 2017, Manafest debuted the second single from the album entitled "House of Cards" to pledgers.[21] Later on May 9, the song was released to project backers for early download.[22]
On May 2, 2017, Manafest announced the release date of Stones was set for July 21, 2017.[23]
On May 26, 2017, Manafest announced that pledgers would be getting two unreleased bonus tracks, as well as the instrumentals for the album.[24] The announcement also exclusively debuted a third track from the album entitled "When the Truth Comes Out".[24] An alternate shorter version of the video announcement was released publically to YouTube without the song.[25]
Around the second week of June, 2017, pledgers began receiving their copies of the album, a little less than a month ahead of the release date.
From July 11–14, 2017, Manafest released teaser previews for the songs "When the Truth Comes Out", "Firestarter", and "Find a Way to Fight" to the public.[26][27][28]
Singles
On February 23, 2017, Manafest released the title track "Stones" as the first single off the release via lyric video.[17]
On March 21, 2017, Manafest debuted a second single entitled "House of Cards" to pledgers exclusively.[21] It was later released to the public in the form of a lyric video.[29]
Track listing
| Album release | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
| 1. | "Stones" | Chris Greenwood, Adam Messinger | Adam Messinger | 3:12 |
| 2. | "House of Cards" | Greenwood, Seth Mosley | Seth Mosley, Michael X O'Connor | 2:40 |
| 3. | "Firestarter" | Greenwood, Trevor McNevan, Mosley, Joe Rickard | Mosley, O'Connor | 3:31 |
| 4. | "When the Truth Comes Out" | Greenwood, Lenny Skolnik, Seann Bowe | Lenny Skolnik | 3:43 |
| 5. | "Find a Way to Fight" | Greenwood, Mark Kasprzyk, Wally Gagel, Xandy Barry | Wally Gagel, Xandy Barry | 3:23 |
| 6. | "You're Gonna Rise" | Greenwood, Mosley, Justin Cordle | Mosley, O'Connor | 4:44 |
| 7. | "Blow You Away" | Greenwood, Mosley, Rickard | Mosley, O'Connor | 3:00 |
| 8. | "Coming Back" | Greenwood, Skolnik, Bowe, Rickard | Skolnik | 3:39 |
| 9. | "Merry Go Round" | Greenwood, Mosley, Rickard | Mosley, O'Connor | 3:49 |
| 10. | "Amplifier" (featuring Alicia Simila of Newport Worship) | Greenwood, Mosley, John Cooper | Mosley, O'Connor | 3:35 |
| 11. | "Won't Give Up" | Greenwood, Joel Piper | Joel Piper | 3:46 |
| Total length: | 39:02 | |||
Personnel
- Manafest – lead vocals, executive producer
- Alicia Simila – additional vocals on track 10
- Adam Messinger – producer, mixing/instrumentation (track 1)
- Seth Mosley – producer, background vocals, keys/programming (tracks 2 and 6), bass (track 6)
- Michael X O'Connor – producer, engineering (tracks 1, 2, 6, 7, 9, 10), sound editing (tracks 2 and 6)
- Wally Gagel – producer
- Xandy Barry – producer
- Joel Piper – production, mixing (track 11)
- Jerricho Scroggins – engineering (tracks 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9)
Chart performance
| Chart (2017) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Mainstream Rock Songs: "Stones" (Billboard)[30] | 39 |
Music videos
Lyric videos
References
- ↑ Matt, Conner (June 15, 2017). "Manafest – Stones album review". CCM Magazine. Retrieved June 29, 2017.
- ↑ Major, Chris (July 31, 2017). "Stones Is The Classic Manafest Album We've Been Waiting For". The Christian Beat. Retrieved August 1, 2017.
- ↑ Craft, David (June 30, 2013). "Manafest, "Stones" Review". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved July 22, 2017.
- ↑ Hoskins, Kevin (June 16, 2017). "Manafest, "Stones" Review: Second Staff Opinion". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved July 22, 2017.
- ↑ Munachen, Lucas (June 16, 2017). "Manafest, "Stones" Review: JFH Staff's Addition Two Cents". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved July 22, 2017.
- ↑ DeWilde, Amanda (July 18, 2017). "Manafest – Stones by Manafest". New Release Tuesday. Retrieved July 24, 2017.
- ↑ Dekkinga, Ryan (July 18, 2017). "Manafest: Stones". Shockwave Magazine. Retrieved July 25, 2017.
- 1 2 "Stones by Manafest". iTunes. Retrieved June 26, 2017.
- ↑ "JFH News: Manafest Releases 1st Rock Album In 5 Years, Stones, July 21". Jesus Freak Hideout. July 18, 2017. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
- 1 2 "Creating hope & inspiration with Manafest's new album Stones". Kickstarter. February 20, 2017. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
- 1 2 "Support Manafest's New Album Stones On Kickstarter". YouTube. February 21, 2017. Retrieved July 1, 2017.
- ↑ "Won't Give Up – Single by Manafest". iTunes. April 29, 2017. Retrieved June 26, 2017.
- ↑ "Manafest – Won't Give Up (Official Audio)". YouTube. April 30, 2017. Retrieved June 28, 2017.
- ↑ "Manafest Launches Kickstarter Campaign for Upcoming Album Stones". New Release Today. February 24, 2017. Retrieved June 26, 2017.
- ↑ Ivy, Brandon (February 21, 2017). "Manafest Launches Kickstarter For New Album". Indie Vision Music. Retrieved June 26, 2017.
- ↑ "Stones Music + Lyric Video Hybrid!! – Manafest Stones Kickstarter". Kickstarter. February 23, 2017. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
- 1 2 "Manafest – Stones (Official Lyric Video)". YouTube. February 23, 2017. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
- ↑ "Manafest Stones Album Is Officially Available For Pre-Order". Facebook. May 2, 2017. Retrieved July 1, 2017.
- ↑ "Manafest Stones Cover – Making of". YouTube. March 7, 2017. Retrieved July 1, 2017.
- ↑ "100% of goal reached! – Manafest". YouTube. March 19, 2017. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
- 1 2 "Song Premiere "House of Cards" – Manafest Stones Kickstarter". Kickstarter. March 21, 2017. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
- ↑ "House of Cards Download – Manafest Stones Kickstarter". Kickstarter. May 9, 2017. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
- ↑ "Stones Album Release Date July 21st – Manafest Stones Kickstarter". Kickstarter. May 2, 2017. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
- 1 2 "Your CDs Are In!! – Manafest Stones Kickstarter". Kickstarter. May 26, 2017. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
- ↑ "Pre-Order Manafest Stones CD & Get FREE Shipping Worldwide". YouTube. May 26, 2017. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
- ↑ "Manafest – Find a Way to Fight (Teaser)". YouTube. July 11, 2017. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
- ↑ "Manafest – Firestarter (Teaser)". YouTube. July 13, 2017. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
- ↑ "Manafest – Find a Way To Fight (Teaser)". YouTube. July 14, 2017. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
- ↑ "Manafest – House of Cards (Official Lyric Video)". YouTube. February 23, 2017. Retrieved June 26, 2017.
- ↑ "Manafest Mainstream Rock Songs chart history". Billboard.com. Retrieved July 27, 2015.