Like that little Pug wearing 3-D glasses on the front cover, there’s something instantly lovable about Hawk Nelson’s fourth Tooth & Nail album, Live Life Loud. It begins with cheerleaders, ends with the sounds of a party, and in between, even throws a ukulele and bagpipes into its punk rock meets pure pop mix – all while staying on message about the gift and purpose of life itself. 

“The phrase seemed to encompass the overall theme of this band,” says Hawk Nelson bass player Daniel Biro of the project’s in-your-face title. “Along the way things can get a little loud with our music. And we’ve always wanted to encourage our fans to pursue their dreams – to not settle for second best in life. Be bold. Let your voice be heard.”

Hawk Nelson has certainly made a lot of positive noise since first joining together in Ontario. The quartet was named Favorite New Artist by the readers of CCM magazine in 2004, won a GMA Canada Covenant Award for its second album in 2006, and earned a GRAMMY nomination in 2008. And like all good students of life, Biro and his band mates Jason Dunn (vocals), Jonathan Steingard (guitar), and Justin Benner (drums) have not stopped learning or growing. Live Life Loud strikes a wiser balance than ever between the group’s two core strengths: kicking out amped up jams and often bringing social and spiritual depth to them. 

“We’re definitely at a point where we can have fun – a lot of fun – but still go places that are a bit more serious,” Biro says. “Contrary to the title, there are more acoustic songs on here, and more deep issues.” 

A wide range of co-writing colleagues – tobyMac, Matthew Gerrard (Hannah Montana, High School Musical), and Trevor McNevan of Thousand Foot Krutch – also testifies to Hawk Nelson’s true artistic versatility. 

The fun is perfectly evident on “Live Life Loud,” a sis-boom-bah opening anthem well suited to the band’s get-this-party-started attitude. Following that good times rush, “Never Enough” starts digging with its muscular rock riffs into life’s tougher moments when Dunn sings, I feel so insignificant...help me please. Catchy first single “Meaning of Life” continues the search for significance, harmoniously determining to start today for a new beginning...find a way to make a change in all of us who need to find the meaning of life. 

The meaning is found on “Shaken,” the real heart of Live Life Loud; a crystalline tune inspired by Hawk Nelson’s compassionate work with Ronald McDonald House Charities, orphans in Haiti, and TOMS (providing shoes to needy children worldwide). Open my eyes and help me see there’s a world outside of me, pleads Dunn. Lord, use me; take me where You want me to go. 

“We believe that loving and changing this world has to come from all of us,” says Biro. “God has given us hearts, so let’s open up and use them.” 

To that point, “Alive” creatively celebrates the change that comes from losing one’s self and serving others instead, declaring: There’s a hope that we know, and we can’t let it go. We feel alive inside for the first time. We’ve got to run not hide from the former life.

In terms of sheer musical performance, there’s no denying the exciting step up Hawk Nelson takes track-for-track on Live Life Loud – “Alive” being a great example with its bubbling over of stylistic influences: new wave keyboards, dance floor drums, and gigantic vocals. Throughout the set, Dunn’s voice proves a powerfully dynamic instrument that’s everything from saccharine (“Eggshells”) to scorching (“The Job”), while Biro and Benner play bass and drums with a markedly tasteful blend of subtlety and showmanship. Steingard’s guitar work is fluid and always fun (“Never Enough”), some of the coolest playing in modern Christian music.

Commenting on the recording sessions, held in Nashville, Biro says, “I give credit to our producer Steve Wilson, who shares my love of bands like Jimmy Eat World, and to our guitarist Jon who is kind of ‘nerding out’ in the studio department lately. I remember leaving for a trip halfway through the process and being blown away by the extra production when I got back.” 

Listeners may be most taken aback by an unexpected version of the classic hymn “Tis So Sweet” where the band gives a song first published in 1882 a Passion-type arrangement sure to be loved by youth and modern worshipers everywhere. Traditional church organ, emotive Scottish bagpipes, and dulcet guest duet vocals from Jenn Helvering (Sandi Patty’s daughter) make a surprisingly great match to Hawk Nelson’s naturally more casual rock rendering of the tune, highlighted by a revised, extended chorus: You’re the shelter in the storm, the dearest friend I know. Light of the world, carry me home. Oh, for grace to trust Him more. 

“I was sitting at church one Sunday when I really felt God nudge me toward suggesting the band record a hymn,” concludes Biro. “I cannot listen to this song all the way through without tearing up...and I know without a doubt this is my favorite track we have released to date. When something is God inspired, there’s just nothing else that can touch it.” 

For Hawk Nelson, as it should be for all of us, that’s what life is all about. Live it loud.