Ctrl (album)

Ctrl
Studio album by Derek Webb
Released August 8, 2012
Studio Wellhouse Studios (Cedar Hill, TX)
The Moore House (Houston, TX)
Ft. Sumner Studio (Nashville, TN)
Genre Electronica, contemporary Christian music
Length 47:29
Label Fair Trade Services
Producer Derek Webb, Joshua Moore
Derek Webb chronology
TN EP
(2011)
Ctrl
(2012)
I Was Wrong, I'm Sorry & I Love You
(2013)

Ctrl (2012) is the seventh solo studio album release from singer and songwriter Derek Webb. He produced it with Joshua Moore, who also co-produced Webb's 2009 album, Stockholm Syndrome.

Ctrl tells the story of an unnamed protagonist who, disenchanted with physical human life, sets out to develop a vision of immortality and life free of pain by ultimately uploading his consciousness into a digital virtual reality. As Webb explains it, "It's an album about one man's desire for something he cannot have because it isn't real, the journey he goes on pursuing it, and the costs of that journey. But essentially, 'Ctrl' is both personal autopsy and cultural observation about how we use technology to try and control our lives, and my concern that it could ultimately have more control of us."[1]

Background

Webb co-wrote the story behind Ctrl with co-producer and fellow Caedmon's Call member Josh Moore, and television writer and producer Allan Heinberg. The resulting short story that accompanies the album was made available for free on his website.[2]

Music and lyrics

Ctrl is simultaneously an adventurous movement forward in musical style and a return to the acoustic guitar for Webb after an extended absence. Ctrl combines a few unique musical elements to create a sonic landscape that reflects the feeling urgency and alienation of the story. Along with his vocals and nylon-string classical guitar, Webb and Moore interspersed drum machines and dense electronic effects.

Most notably, throughout, Ctrl features old recordings of Sacred Harp singing, an historical tradition of sacred choral music from the Southern United States related to Shape note singing. Sacred Harp is characterized by direct, expressive and sometimes brash voices in 4-part harmony. The juxtaposition of musical elements is fully intended to bring about the overall effect of the album.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
CCM Magazine[3]
Christianity Today[4]
Cross Rhythms[5]
Jesus Freak Hideout[6]
Jesus Freak Hideout[7]
Louder Than the Music[8]
New Release Tuesday[9]
The Phantom Tollbooth[10]

Track listing

No. TitleWriter(s) Length
1. "And See The Flaming Skies"  Derek Webb 3:57
2. "A City With No Name"  Webb 5:23
3. "Can't Sleep"  Webb 3:00
4. "Blocks"  Webb 6:41
5. "Pressing on the Bruise"  Webb 4:57
6. "Attonitos Gloria"  Webb 4:58
7. "I Feel Everything"  Webb 5:33
8. "Reanimate"  Webb 4:19
9. "A Real Ghost"  Webb 4:37
10. "Around Every Corner"  Webb 4:04
Total length:
47:29

Personnel

  • Recorded at
    Wellhouse Studios (Cedar Hill, TX),
    The Moore House (Houston, TX),
    & Ft. Sumner Studio (Nashville, TN)
  • Engineering by
    Travis Brockway
  • Production assistance by
    Matt Reynolds
  • Additional vocals by
    Latifah Phillips, engineered by
    Dave Wilton at St. Ida's
    (Lafayette, CO)

  • Mixed by
    Joshua Moore at The Moore House
  • Mastering by
    Bob Boyd at Ambient Digital
    (Houston, TX)
    (ambientdigital.com)
  • All instruments played by
    Derek Webb & Joshua Moore,
    except for live drums, played by
    McKenzie Smith, and woodwinds
    & vibraphone played by Jordan
    Brooke Hamlin, engineered
    by Jordan Brooke Hamlin at
    Gingerwood Studio (Nashville, TN)

  • Art Direction by
    Derek Webb
  • Design by
    Jon Dicus
    (jondicus.com)
  • Cover design by
    Josh Oakes & Jon Dicus
  • Photography by
    Joshua Moore (back cover),
    Zach McNair (inside portrait)
    (zachmcnair.com),
    & David McCollum (inside photo)

Charts

Chart (2009) Peak position
US Christian Albums (Billboard)[11] 9

References

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