Derek Webb's Stockholm Syndrome is designed to make waves and upset the complacent. While the ex-Caedmon's Call member has long shown a maverick streak, this album is confrontational even by his standards. Webb challenges fellow Christians at every turn, avoiding feel-good spirituality in favor of scathing satire. Tracks like The Spirit vs. the Kick Drum and What You Give Up to Get It attack hypocrisy with razor-keen wit, while Becoming a Slave and Jenna & Jimmy grapple with moral compromise. Freddie, Please (a weird fusion of doo-wop and electronica) and American Flag Umbrella (set to a ghostly, piano-centered track) take some bold swipes at bigotry. Avoiding his usual folk-rock ambiance, Webb surrounds his vocals with eerie samples and throbbing cyborg beats as he preaches a set of mind-prodding sermons that refuse to observe polite standards. By any measure, Stockholm Syndrome stands as one of the most controversial - and compelling - Christian releases of the year. - iTunes
