Donate
  • About
  • Staff
  • Advertise
  • Privacy
Search
News
Opinions
Sports
Classifieds
Comics
BMA
Events
Subscribe

Tuesday, October 3, 2023
Print Archive

Eastern Echo
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinions
  • Comics
  • Podcast
  • BMA
  • Events
  • Classifieds
  • Search
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinions
  • Comics
  • Podcast
  • BMA
  • Events
  • Classifieds
Search

Subscribe to the Echo

Donate to The Echo

You can support the Echo by donating through the EMU Foundation and selecting to apply your gift to a specific fund. Any of the funds listed below will provide support to the Echo.

01049 -- EMU Echo Editor Endowed Scholarship:  Provides financial support for the current EMU Echo Editor.

02414 -- Scott Stephenson Eastern Echo Scholarship:  This expendable scholarship is for the benefit of student(s) in the School of Communication, Media & Theater Arts in the College of Arts & Sciences.  It will be awarded to a full or part-time junior or senior EMU student majoring in journalism and working for the Eastern Echo.  The student should be working to self-finance their education and not be eligible for need-based grants.

00825 -- Student Media Development:  Provides support for the Student Media program.

Thank you for supporting the Echo and EMU Student Media.

Give Now


10/14/2022, 8:00am

Review: Rhett McLaughlin's music project, James and the Shame, releases heartfelt first album

James and the Shame, the music project by well-known content creator, Rhett James McLaughlin of Good Mythical Morning, released his debut album "Human Overboard" on Sept. 23, 2022. 

By Amy Coomer

Share

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Mail
  • Print
Review: Rhett McLaughlin's music project, James and the Shame, releases heartfelt first album

James and the Shame, the music project by the well-known content creator, Rhett James McLaughlin of Good Mythical Morning, released his debut album “Human Overboard" on Sept. 23.

McLaughlin has opened up about his religious upbringing and his journey of religious self-discovery in his online content before, but never to this depth. “Human Overboard" is a very raw and real deconstruction of his spirituality. As a former missionary and devout Christian, he has a lot of insight and comforting words for those going on a similar journey. 

“Human Overboard" is an interesting trek into music made by content creators, as it strays from what would be considered popular genres to young people. James and the Shame is a contemporary country album that brings fresh insight into the development of religion in the modern United States. 

Many of the songs on "Human Overboard” are fairly cut and dry. All of them are clearly from the perspective of a Christian family man losing his faith. Each track handles different aspects of his journey and his acceptance of not knowing what comes next.

The track list almost serves as a timeline of events and realizations for him and his family going through this process. Some of the best songs on this album represent the most pivotal moments. 

Track One: "Believe Me”

This song is the most popular on the album. McLaughlin discusses the way that he has answered questions about why he is stepping away from the church, only to have those people doubt his reasonings or his character. 

Track Five: "Where We’re Going"

This discusses how McLaughlin and his wife came to terms with stepping away from their faith because they have each other. He doesn’t know where they’re going, in the physical sense of not knowing where their life will take them, and also in the afterlife. 

Track Six: "Creek and Back"

McLaughlin discusses parenthood as someone who has left religion but was raised in it. He admits that he doesn’t know how to parent and that he is learning along with his children. 

Track Nine: "In Vain"

In this track, Mclaughlin discusses how he feels those who judge him for leaving the faith and a lot of modern Christians take the Lord's name in vain in many more ways than just as a curse. Invoking his name to enhance their arguments or for small things such as finding a good parking spot. 

Overall, "Human Overboard" is something refreshing to the contemporary country genre; it’s thought-provoking. This album has the potential to grow to be an iconic work of McLaughlin’s and also as a representation of religion in the United States at present. 

I would give “Human Overboard” a 7 out of 10.

Share



Related Stories

gayatri-malhotra-83UgUBREnuU-unsplash.jpg

Opinion: The Supreme cult?

By Naomi Barbour

Screenshot 2022-01-20 12.04.35 PM.png

Review: The Best Released Music from Friday, Jan 14

By Aaron Hughes

erik-mclean-9y1cTVKe1IY-unsplash.jpg

Review: Summer Walker is here with a new album

By Aaron Hughes


Most Popular


9/27/2023, 1:00pm

E|Dining reported for health violations in campus facilities

By Erin Flynn

Washtenaw County Environmental Health documents its recent EMU health inspections.


9/30/2023, 3:55pm

EMU football's Samson Evans ties Eagles' all-time career touchdown record


9/26/2023, 6:24pm

EMU’s Black Student-Athlete Association back for a second year


9/29/2023, 2:34pm

Eastern Michigan vs. Central Michigan game preview, odds, what to watch


Podcast


8/15/2023, 12:19pm

The Eastern Echo Podcast: Ep. 20- Graduate Interview with Rashimi Rai


4/27/2023, 11:33am

Eastern Echo Podcast: Editor-in-Chief Layla McMurtrie Signing Off


2/12/2023, 2:39pm

Echo Interviews: Kings of Color President Dylan Hughey discusses Black History Month


2/12/2023, 2:32pm

The Block E Podcast: Super Bowl Sunday


Tweets by TheEasternEcho
Eastern Michigan Echo To Homepage
  • About
  • Jobs
  • Freelance
  • Submissions
  • Advertise
  • Distribution

All Rights Reserved

© Copyright 2023 The Eastern Echo

Powered by Solutions by The State News.