In 2014, Needtobreathe released their fifth album, “Rivers in the Wasteland.:
The first week the album was released, it debuted as No. 1 on both the Billboard Christian Album chart and the Rock Album chart, and No. 3 on the Billboard Top 200 chart.
Needtobreathe is a Christian rock band originally from South Carolina, whose members continue to express their deep southern roots through their style of folk and rock in their albums and songs. The band features members Seth Bolt and brothers Bear and Bo Rinehart.
“Rivers in the Wasteland” is an 11 track album featuring singles, “Multiplied,” “Rise Again” and “Brother,” which hit the Hot Christian Songs chart at the No. 2 spot early in 2015. Artist Gavin DeGraw also recorded a separate track with Needtobreathe for “Brother” that also debuted as another hit single on the music charts.
The album continues to be received well among critics and music lovers alike, and has been called another fabulous creation by Needtobreathe.
Music critic Timothy Monger said that “Rivers in the Wasteland” is very appropriate reflection of one of Needtobreathe’s more popular and successful albums, “The Reckoning,” which was released in 2011.
“‘Rivers in the Wasteland’ is well-produced and full of warm melodies that feel both pleasantly world-weary and uplifting,” Monger said. “If Needtobreathe’s intention was to deliver a more down-to-earth and reflective record following ‘The Reckoning’s’ big-budgeted glitz, they’ve succeeded.”
The album also features the track, “State I’m In,” which was included along with “Brother” in Needtobreathe’s 2o15 album “Live From the Woods” as another featured song.
“Rivers in the Wasteland” was distributed by the Atlantic Recording Company for the United States and produced by Kevin Augunas, Ed Cash, Joe Chiccarelli and Jerrod Rettis.
On Aug. 15, Needtobreathe will perform nearby at the Moon River Music Festival in Memphis, Tennessee, with tickets now available on their website.
