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What started as a lesser-known Christian rock band with a calm, folksy style, the band NEEDTOBREATHE is now on the rise with the recent release of their newest album, Into the Mystery, having worked with popular artists, such as Carrie Underwood and Gavin DeGraw. Though they continue to release rock/pop music, NEEDTOBREATHE’s music career boasts many hidden gems. While some might assume that Christian rock bands can be boring and preachy, NEEDTOBREATHE broke free from that stereotype by creating music that inspires healing for any listener who is a fan of the folksy rock style — and for many who aren’t.
NEEDTOBREATHE Origins
Founding NEEDTOBREATHE members Bear and Bo Rinehart, brothers and musicians from Possum Kingdom, South Carolina, began playing instruments when they moved to Seneca and became exposed to a wide variety of music outside of their father’s church camp. (( Brown, Marissa. AllMusic. )). Years later, while attending Furman University, Bear Rinehart’s interest in music grew as he began to master vocals, guitar, and piano, while Bo Rinehart played guitar. Following graduation, the brothers joined with drummer Joe Stillwell and bassist Seth Bolt and began making and releasing independent albums through Bolt’s recording studio, Plantation Studios.
Though a couple of band members have changed over the years, including even founding member Bo Rinehart, NEEDTOBREATHE continues to make rock music, using lyrics based on the Christian faith that started it all. The evolution of the band is reflected in their discography, each album important to their story in its own way.
NEEDTOBREATHE Discography
Even in their early days, the band was committed to honing their craft by creating their EPs and through touring, a decision that led to them being discovered by Lava Records. Following their independent albums in 2001-2004 (The Feature, Soulrock Review EP, Turnaround EP, and Fire EP), NEEDTOBREATHE signed with Lava Records in 2005. They released their first official studio album in 2006: Daylight.
Daylight (2006)
Their first studio album, Daylight, was released with cover art painted by Bo Rinehart. The personal feel of the album led to a positive reception, and the relatable lyrics matched well with the rock/folk blend of musical style.
Somewhere between the end / And the point where we begin / There’s a fire burning brightly / That’s found its way to dim
NEEDTOBREATHE ((“Shine on.” Daylight. NEEDTOBREATHE. 2006. Lava Records. ))
With Daylight‘s success as a debut album, NEEDTOBREATHE’s music career was off to an optimistic start. Two of their singles, “Don’t Wait for Daylight” and “Shine On,” are especially inspiring with rhythms that’ll get you moving, but the entire album is absolutely worth looking into. The less popular songs like “Don’t Leave Just Yet” and “More Than” maintain the same forward motion of the rest of the album while embracing a bit more calmness, and “I Won’t Look Back,” ends the album on a slower, more nostalgic note.
The Heat (2007)
NEEDTOBREATHE’s second album, The Heat, was released in 2007 with Atlanta Records and was met with even more positivity. The album was nominated for Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year in the 39th annual GMA Dove Awards, alongside popular Christian rock artists TobyMac and Switchfoot.
There’s a place where the pain can’t touch ya / There’s a fire where the heat won’t burn ya / It’s in the sound of your voice tonight singing in one song
NEEDTOBREATHE ((“The Heat.” The Heat. NEEDTOBREATHE. 2007. Atlanta Records.))
In 2009, the single “Washed by the Water” won the Dove Award for Rock/Contemporary Song of the Year, and the song “Signature of Divine (Yahweh)” won the Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year. NEEDTOBREATHE’s music even made it to the big screen when “More Time” was featured in the film P.S. I Love You in 2007. Personally, I believe that The Heat is one of NEEDTOBREATHE’s most sincere and inspiring albums, especially because it includes the songs “Restless,” “Again,” and “Nothing Left to Lose,” which, unlike “Washed by the Water” and “Signature of Divine (Yahweh),” don’t need to include lyrics from the Christian faith to comfort and inspire. The lyricism feels genuine and painfully honest.
I get so restless / We won’t know until it’s too late / But I’ll have years to think of / The way I’d do the things I did / Just to chase the pain away / We’re here now and I can change / But I’m still restless
NEEDTOBREATHE ((“Restless.” The Heat. NEEDTOBREATHE. 2007. Atlanta Records.))
The Outsiders (2009)
My favorite NEEDTOBREATHE album, The Outsiders, continued to win awards and was met with yet more positive critical reception. The album was also co-produced by the band themselves, indicating that the members were beginning to stretch their wings creatively. In 2010, NEEDTOBREATHE won the Dove Award for Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year, and they won the Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year award yet again for the song “Lay ‘Em Down.”
In a crowd of the dead and disappointed / We’re ashamed, giving up on what we’ve wanted / Take a chance on a long shot this time / Aren’t we all just at least worth another try?
NEEDTOBREATHE ((“Let Us love.” the Outsiders. NEEDTOBREATHE. 2009. Atlanta Records.))
Though the award-winning single “Lay ‘Em Down” is a catchy and impressive song, The Outsiders album boasts a vast array of impactful music, from the titular song “The Outsiders” to the slower “Through Smoke” to the percussion-heavy “Prisoner.” The true bop, however, is “Girl Named Tennessee,” which is a fun song that’s perfect to dance to.
The Reckoning (2011)
In 2011, NEEDTOBREATHE gained a new band member, Josh Lovelace, who proved to be a talented keyboardist. In addition, the band began to include a more obvious mixture of the secular and the sacred and continued to garner praise, especially for venturing into a secular/sacred blend in addition to their already genre-blurring instrumentation.
If you never leave home, never let go / You’ll never make it to the great unknown till you / Keep your eyes open, my love
NEEDTOBREATHE ((“Keep Your Eyes Open.” The Reckoning. NEEDTOBREATHE. 2011. Atlanta records.))
Many reviewers noted that The Reckoning produced songs that crossed genres, indicating a change that would continue in later albums. Some of the best songs on the album include: “Oohs and Ahhs,” “Slumber,” and “Keep Your Eyes Open.”
Rivers In The Wasteland (2014)
During 2014, keyboardist Josh Lovelace, who worked on The Reckoning back in 2013, officially joined the touring schedule, and drummer Randall Harris filled the role of drummer left by Joe Stillwell, who left the band in 2012. With a couple of new members, NEEDTOBREATHE’s Rivers in the Wasteland hit #1 on the Billboard Christian Albums Chart and the Billboard Rock Albums chart.
Brother, let me be your shelter / Never leave you all alone / I can be the one you call / When you’re low / Brother, let me be your fortress / When the night winds are driving on / Be the one to light the way / Bring you home
NEEDTOBREATHE ((“Brother.” Rivers in the Wasteland. NEEDTOBREATHE. 2014. Atlanta Records.))
Though the single “Multiplied” was nominated for a Grammy in the Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song category, Rivers in the Wasteland‘s final single, “Brother,” became the most popular, making the Billboard Hot 100 chart. NEEDTOBREATHE later performed the song with widely-recognized country singer Gavin DeGraw, spiking the band’s popularity even further, especially in the country genre. “Brother” started playing more and more on the radio, a well-deserved hit.
Other than “Brother,” which is a strong musical testament to the power of brotherhood and friendship, Rivers in the Wasteland is full of wonderful songs, including the fast-paced “Feet, Don’t Fail Me Now” and “The Heart.”
HARD LOVE (2016)
NEEDTOBREATHE’s sixth studio album leaned more toward praise music. Nevertheless, HARD LOVE is their highest charting album, and it won them a GMA Dove Award in 2017.
You know the situation can’t be right / And you ever do is fight / But there’s a reason that the road is long / It takes some time to make your courage strong
NEEDTOBREATHE ((“Hard Love.” HARD LOVE. NEEDTOBREATHE. 2016. Atlanta Records.))
Both the singles and the rest of the songs on the album are instant dance-worthy hits, including “Great Night,” “Hard Love,” “Don’t Bring That Trouble,” and “Happiness.” HARD LOVE also includes slow, more introspective songs, like “No Excuses” and “Testify.”
Unfortunately, NEEDTOBREATHE wouldn’t release another album until four years later, and even then, the band would only continue making music as they rolled with huge, inevitable changes. In the meantime, lead singer Bear Rinehart branched out from the band in 2019, taking the stage name Wilder Woods (after his two children), making music apart from the band. His song, “Religion,” hints at a possible reconsideration of his faith. Nevertheless, he stayed with the band, releasing a new album in 2020 amid the pandemic.
Out Of Body (2020)
A lot changed between the release of HARD LOVE and Out of Body. Bo Rinehart, who had been the lead guitarist since the band’s origin, left NEEDTOBREATHE in 2019 and started Bo Rinehart Studio, where he displays his art in the form of paints, drawings, watercolor, and more. Guitarist Tyler Burkum joined the band in his absence.
We’re in for nasty weather / And I’ll ride it out with you / We won’t be riding highs and lows / Like tides of ocean blue / We won’t be here forever / Just a moment then we’re through / We can’t be shifting with the sands / Like seasons always do.
NEEDTOBREATHE ((“Seasons.” Out of Body. NEEDTOBREATHE. 2020. Elektra Records.))
2020 turned out to be a time of many changes for NEEDTOBREATHE, as Out of Body is also the first album that the band produced with Elektra Records and the COVID-19 pandemic halted all in-person tours in favor of virtual ones. Needless to say, the lyrics and music of the album began to reflect changing times and seeking solace in each other.
Into The Mystery (2021)
On July 30, 2021, NEEDTOBREATHE’s newest album, Into the Mystery, was released, and it was borne out of something different than every album before. While they worked on the album, NEEDTOBREATHE, still unable to tour, lived and wrote songs together in the same house in Tennessee, recreating the original bond between bandmembers.
From my shallow grave, I’ve prayed to find / The strength to crawl, the strength to climb / Up to the surface, untie my hands / Sorrow had a purpose but it’s time to stand
NEEDTOBREATHE ((“Into the Mystery.” Into the Mystery. NEEDTOBREATHE. 2021. Elektra Records.))
Despite a rough 2020-2021 (the pandemic years have been difficult for many artists worldwide), NEEDTOBREATHE took the lockdown as an opportunity to become more grounded in their songwriting, creating new classics like “Sunshine,” “Chances,” and “I Wanna Remember” (featuring Carrie Underwood).
Give It A Listen
Though NEEDTOBREATHE has had its ups and downs, especially in recent years, the music released by this rock/contemporary band blurs genres and digs deep into lyricism that inspires. Whether Christian rock is your wheelhouse or not, NEEDTOBREATHE is a band that provides many a song to sing along to. Give their music a listen — you won’t regret it!
