In preparation for this review, I went to Google and searched “invisible colors” to try and get an idea of what may have inspired Georgia resident Sherrod White to title his EP as such. One of the first results hit the nail on the head for me as the “colors” of infrared and ultraviolet were mentioned. On opposite ends of the spectrum of light, these invisible rays are not detectable by the naked eye and are more known for the radiation they give off than their hue. I examined this six song EP from Sherrod to find out just how much heat this project generated.
Addiction is an area of struggle for every individual walking this earth, no exceptions. Whether it be an addiction to substances or self, the power of Christ’s blood and resulting testimonies are the keys for deliverance. Sherrod White offers such a testimony on “Ativan Rx”, a lyrical walk through the struggle of being dependent on a prescription drug. Personification is the name of the game on this track, as Sherrod gives Ativan a female persona in the detailing of their contentious “relationship”. The instrumental was masterfully crafted by Tone Jonez, who handled all production on this EP. This is a very solid song, though unexpected for an opener.
Next, Sherrod and Tone take it cinematic with a two part “miniseries” about “Billy The Kid”. Part 1 features an “opening credit” feel musically as Sherrod introduces Billy and his destructive pursuits. Sherrod did a pretty good job describing the details of the doom-destined drive from a narrator’s perspective. As Part 2 gets going, Sherrod switches points of view and speaks from the position of the friend who was riding with him. Okirike offered a nice soul infusion with his vocals, a perfect fit for the Al Green lane that the instrumental was crafted in. As the saga comes to a close, there’s a strong moment that confirms just how powerful forgiveness is.
As the EP runs into the final three songs, the tone changes slightly from effect to cause, in so many words. “Fantasy World” is the track that would be considered the second single for this project, and it holds up well from a quality standpoint. The conceptual approach to the world’s misguided view is not presented in any new way but the non-trap, melodious beat makes it more than worth a listen. Materialism is further broached on “Dollar$ & Diamond$”, and again there’s nothing groundbreaking in approach but the instrumental helps make the song worthwhile. Last up, “Time In Our Lives” features Joshua Silverberg and Katie Belle Akin over a CCM- type piece of production. Considering the style and tone (no pun intended) of all 5 other tracks, this song is a bit of an anomaly, yet it works as the first single it is. The layered pianos, drums, and guitars give this track high replay value.
Invisible Colors succeeded in doing what Sherrod wanted it to, revealing some waves of life that sometimes go unnoticed or undetected in spite of being very real. In the short span of 6 songs, Sherrod did a great job of meshing with Tone Jonez to cover a lof of musical ground while maintaining a fit with the style he is most comfortable with. The ministry value of this project is high, especially “Ativan Rx”, and I believe there’s something for everyone to walk away with from a biblical sense. It’s tough to expect on an EP, obviously, but some of the stories are not as detailed as possible. I for one could see “Billy The Kid” be reintroduced in even more depth on a full length LP. This project is a sampler at its purest, I definitely look forward to the full course Sherrod White will be cooking up for us.
Categorical Ratings Breakdown:
Originality/Creativity: 3/5
Lyrics: 3.5/5
Delivery: 3.5/5
Beat Selection/Production: 4/5
Concept/Arrangement: 3/5
