"Better" by Plumb from Chaotic Resolve

"I don't wanna hate; I don't wanna be broken; I don't wanna hate you!"

Now, that's a nice twist of lyric, as is "But in the end / what leaves you broken in the end / makes you better!"

I first heard "Better" on Pandora about a year ago before I even considered making this blog, and liked it enough to take "I like it!" I ultimately left Pandora for several months (mostly because they lacked certain bands and songs I wanted to hear). I forgot about the song, then popped back in one night and decided to listen to my "gothic rock" station I'd made there. "Better" came up, and I immediately jotted it down to review it.

Turns out, Plumb's a Christian singer. I almost regret learning that, since it made me realize what the song reminded me of: other CCM (contemporary Christian music). It almost could be Evanescence meets Rebecca St. James. Okay, that was a weird comparison. But the alternative slightly-gothic rock music blends with enough attractiveness and memorability to warrant an "above average" rating, albeit too conventionally for me to hand a "5".

Plumb, whose actual name is Tiffany Arbuckle Lee, sings prettily. Again, I'm reminded of Evanescence's Amy Lee with traces of Rebecca St. James and even Flyleaf's Lacey Mosley (in a good way). Nonetheless, "Plumb" sounds a bit overly breathy when she's trying to sing quietly. It's a bit annoying.

Now for the lyrics. As you can probably guess from the quotes I have above, "Better" discusses not hating someone who abuses you. The song specifically speaks of the unbeliever who persecutes the Christian "because of fear." It's encouragement to the Christian who is facing a hard time, perhaps getting emotionally torn to pieces by someone. "What leaves you broken in the end makes you better." Notice that unusual statement.

For a song in general, it's well above average. For CCM, it's extraordinary.

UPDATE: I've learned that Amy Lee actually credits Plumb as one of her influences for Evanescence. So small wonder they sound comparable.

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Lyrics: 5/5
Music: 4/5
Vocal(s): 4/5
Overall: 8/10