Review: “Conspiracy No.5”

May The Cycle Be BROKEN

The cycle happens all the time and you’ve probably witnessed it yourself. A band spends years practicing, writing, working, and refining material then they finally land record deal. The result of those preceding formative years is a hit record full of excellent songs. Success follows.

Then, the demand for the second album hits. The band now must turn around and write/record/publish in a much shorter timeframe. Instead of the years of toil, testing, and improving like they had on their first album, its just months for the sophomore release.

The second album comes out and it doesn’t do near what the first one did. Fans are disappointed and left questioning: was this just a “sophomore slump?” Does the band have more to offer going forward? Or…is it already over for them?

In 1997, Third Day released their second album, Conspiracy No.5, and in my opinion, it was the opposite of a sophomore slump in every way. This second album was stronger, better, and more promising than their (very good) first album.

Track Highlights

The album starts with a thesis right out of the gate. The first song called “Peace” begins with 15 seconds of gentle intro, but before you know it, the guitars come crashing in. Third Day’s “southern rock” sound of the first album was morphing into something fresh, new, and a bit heavier. They were taking a chance with this sound, and it immediately works.

“Alien” is a standalone song for Christian music in the 90’s (and even today, honestly). Beginning with spacious/otherworldly guitars, the lyrics seem to echo Psalm 146. “I am just like the alien, the fatherless, and the widow” is the powerful refrain and serves to emphasize some of the key themes of the album (helplessness, belonging, and the search for redemption). Its not a hymn or a “modern worship song” – but it is a Scriptural song that feels unique.

Track 5 “I Deserve?” And track 6 “Have Mercy” are sequenced well as they serve to compliment each other and continue the themes. These tracks emphasize the darkness/sinfulness of humanity (“I tasted the fruit that was forbidden, I murdered the trust that you had given,” “the same ol’ sinner, the same ol’ sin”). Yet, the pure energy that comes through in “Have Mercy” showcases a desperation for redemption that truly shines.

“Give Me A Reason” asks more questions that fit thematically “The question still remains, On who can I place all the blame? The demons, devils of the world, Or is it only myself?” This honest grappling with our sinful condition rings true. Here though, some resolution is hinted at in the bridge “It would take a miracle of God to make things right.” Redemption has been sighted off in the distance.

Best Of The Best

“You Make Me Mad” – the second track delves into the sheer power of music. 

Looking back, one possible way you can view this track is in how it hints (intentionally or not) at what is around the corner at the end of the 90’s. One month before Conspiracy No. 5 was released, Limp Bizkit released Three Dollar Bill, Ya’ll$, their debut album. The rise of hyper-aggressive rap/rock nu-metal (pick your description) was about to skyrocket. The era of “grunge” was fading, Limp Bizkit and many others (Korn, Kid Rock, Rage Against The Machine, etc) were taking over certain sectors of the airwaves. Less than two years later, the infamous Woodstock ’99 disaster would take place with many placing (at least some) blame on Limp Bizkit and other bands embracing this aggression in their music. 

As Third Day sings “You make me sing, you make me think, you make me sad, you make me fall, you make me love, you make me mad.” The song functions as an acknowledgment of the divine gift of music but also how it can easily be a negative influence if left unchecked.

Another way to view the track could be to view it as critique of another musical shift happening in the 90’s: the rise of “modern worship.” Countless churches were navigating the balance of hymns vs new worship songs – the “worship wars” were (sadly) raging. A fair critique of some (not all) of the newer worship songs was their overemphasis on emotions/feelings at the expense of truth and Biblical foundations. Surely, it is a bigger conversation for another day. However, “You Make Me Mad” puts forth more questions worth asking “Do you realize what you have done? Do you think this is a problem?”

“My Hope Is You” – My favorite song on the album comes as a respite at almost the midpoint of the album. After the earlier tracks wrestled with our sinful humanity and what we “deserve,” this song functions as a mountaintop in the middle. It’s from the heights of this rendition of Psalm 25 that the rest of the album comes into focus. Our only Hope truly is in God. This the beautiful and true usage of music and the power God has bestowed on it. 

“Who I Am” – Track 10 still haunts to this day. The verses speak of a desire for changing/repenting and the knowledge that God is willing to help see this through in “the broken hearts of lonely souls.” It’s almost as if the narrator has heard the beautiful promise of the Gospel: “And You make all things right.”

Then the chorus pivots to introspection with a series of questions “But do You know who I am? Have You seen the things I’ve done?” These questions are repeated and the heaviness sets in. Can a sinner truly be forgiven? Can a wicked one receive grace? Is forgiveness actually possible? 

Often in Christian music or any well-constructed song, the lyrics begin in the shadows but end in the light. In other words, you start with the hard questions, the doubts, the harsh realities….but as the song goes on, you get to the answers, the resolution, the bright light. 

However, sometimes, it can be particularly effective to let the questions stand. Third Day does not take the easy way out here. They don’t choose what would be “radio friendly.” This track and the questions are allowed to be asked. In my opinion, the album is richer for it. The light will come in this album, but not necessarily in every single song. 

“Gomer’s Theme” – What Christian artist writes a song about the prophet Hosea and how God orders him to love a rebellious, wayward woman named Gomer?  There aren’t many artists doing that, I can confidently say that. Third Day does. And, as discussed above, this song truly seems to embody so many of the themes prevalent elsewhere in the record. The darkness of sin, repeated patterns of transgressions, an undeserved mercy, a gracious love seeking to redeem, etc. Everything is here. 

It is almost as if the story of Hosea and Gomer serve as an avatar or example of all that’s been sung before.

“She’s forgotten her first love (maybe one day she’ll return), He’s forgotten that she ever went away and broke his heart”

In the many years since this album’s release, when I have found my self in conversations about Third Day and this album in particular… it is THIS song that is most often mentioned by other people. A truly gutsy song that stays with you.

(Years ago, I wrote a piece on this Scripture. You can read it here )

“Your Love Endures” – The album began with “Peace” and now as it draws to a close, the only real “ballad” appears. The new rock sound gives way to acoustic warmth. A place of rest. A place to bring closure and finality.

“Though our pains and joys will come and go, Your love endures forever. Even in my fears, I will always know that Your love endures forever.”

Could I ever belong or am I just an alien? What do I deserve? Is there mercy available? Can God rescue a sinner like me? A Gomer like me? Do You know who I am? Have You seen what I’ve done?

It would take a miracle of God to make things right.

“No I can’t explain or even understand, why You gave Your life to save sinful man. But I know it’s true, I’ve seen it myself. Your love endures forever.”

A wonderful, beautiful, meditation on God’s “hesed” – His unbreakable, unstoppable, forever-love and grace demonstrated fully in the life, death, and resurrection of the One true Savior and Lord – Jesus Christ. 

This love endures. His love endures.

Thanks for reading.  Your comments and insights are always welcomed.  If you enjoyed this, please share it.  Want more content?  Check the archives, my youtube channel, or listen to me on the Cross-Cutting Culture Podcast.