And, from the opening track, it is clear that, not only are the lyrics there, but the rock edge has returned in a major way. What's Wrong With This World is far from your typical Christian song or message. On this track, Groves brings a shocking message right off the bat: This world is not what's wrong with me/I'm what's wrong with this world. This track hits hard, because so often we're told that everything around us is the problem (Groves points to MTV, presidents, boy bands, and even curses his chromosomes in the tongue-in-cheek verses). Yet, as Groves points out on this track, it is his heart that is the problem. It's a track that's possibly tough to digest for some, but hits it's points in a big way.
Tracks like Bless The Lord and Only give some more upbeat (but no less truthful) messages. Bless The Lord is a song focused on a desire to see everything and everyone bow down and sing the praises of God. Musically, it's one of the slower tracks, but it fits perfectly with the lyrics delivered. On Only, Groves picks it up again musically and continues to deliver writing that is simply superb (Literally; the lyrics are simple but they are done in a way that makes an excellent song). This one talks about the steadfastedness in Groves' heart to never turn from God. He confidently calls out, asking anything and everything to be thrown at him to tempt him and make him sway, knowing that he will not turn away from the Lord and the Lord will never turn from him.
White Flag is chock full of tracks that deliver on all levels. Amen, Crave and the title track, White Flag, all hit their marks musically and lyrically. Amen slows it down a bit and offers a simple plea: Christ have mercy/Lord have mercy/Holy Healer/Strength within/Pass me not/Forsake me not, Lord/Amen. It's a prayer that so many have prayed in their own lives that it would difficult to find someone not able to connect with this track. Crave hits hard musically and even harder lyrically, speaking of the fact that the things and people of this world simply cannot give him what he truly craves. White Flag is a song that is pretty self-explanatory from the title. it's a song about giving up the fight against God and throwing up the white flag, giving into what His Will is.
Overall, White Flag completely delivers, which is a true feat for a themed disc. Yet, with The Beatitudes as a base for each track (A song-by-song explanation is available on the enhanced portion of the disc), Groves truly delivered. He regained his rock edge and firmly planted himself in place as one of the elite writers of this generation.