Ctrl (Derek Webb album)

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
Studio album by
Derek Webb
ReleasedAugust 8, 2012
Studio
  • Wellhouse Studios, Cedar Hill, Texas
  • The Moore House. Houston, Texas
  • Ft. Sumner Studio, Nashville, Tennessee
GenreElectronica, contemporary Christian music
Length47:29
LabelFair Trade Services
ProducerDerek Webb, Joshua Moore
Derek Webb chronology
TN EP
(2011)		 Ctrl
(2012)		 I Was Wrong, I'm Sorry & I Love You
(2013)

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[6]
Louder Than the Music[7]
New Release Tuesday[8]
The Phantom Tollbooth[9]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Derek Webb

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

Personnel
  • Derek Webb – producer, performer, recording at Wellhouse Studios, Cedar Hill, Texas, story, art direction
  • Joshua Moore – producer, performer, recording, story, mixing at The Moore House, back cover photography
  • Allan Heinberg – story
  • Travis Brockway – engineer at Ft. Sumner Studio, Nashville, Tennessee
  • Matt Reynolds – production assistant
  • Latifah Phillips – additional vocals
  • Dave Wilton – additional vocals engineer at St. Ida's, Lafayette, Colorado
  • Bob Boyd – mastering at Ambient Digital<, Houston, Texas
  • McKenzie Smith – live drums
  • Jordan Brooke Hamlin – woodwinds, vibraphone, woodwinds and vibraphone engineer at Gingerwood Studio, Nashville, Tennessee
  • Jon Dicus – design
  • Josh Oakes – cover design
  • Jon Dicus – cover design
  • Zach McNair – inside portrait photography
  • David McCollum – inside photo photography

Charts
Chart (2009) Peak position
US Christian Albums (Billboard)[10] 9

References
  2. "CTRL - the Complete Fictional Short Story (Including APPENDIX A)". Derekwebb.tumblr.com.
  3. "StackPath". Ccmmagazine.com. Archived from the original on September 1, 2013. Retrieved April 11, 2022.
  4. Jones, Jeremy V. (August 14, 2012). "Webb, Derek". ChristianityToday.com. Retrieved April 11, 2022.
  5. "Review: Ctrl - Derek Webb | Cross Rhythms". Crossrhythms.co.uk. Retrieved April 11, 2022.
  6. "Derek Webb, "Ctrl" Review". Jesusfreakhideout.com. Retrieved April 11, 2022.
  7. "Derek Webb - Ctrl". Louderthanthemusic.com. Retrieved April 11, 2022.
  8. "Ctrl by Derek Christian CD Book Reviews | NRTeam Member JJFrancesco_NRT | NewReleaseToday". Newreleasetoday.com. Retrieved April 11, 2022.
  9. "The Phantom Tollbooth - Webb, Derek - CTRL". Tollbooth.org. Retrieved April 11, 2022.
  10. "Derek Webb Chart History (Christian Albums)". Billboard.
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