|
By Kevin Pollard
 • Britt Nicole: Say It, Sparrow/EMI
THIS new artist has a perfect blend of feel-good
rhythms and sophisticated substance. Her polished sound will attract fans
of Gwen Stefani and Stacie Orrico; but the depth and hopefulness of her
lyrics set her apart. She has fun on tracks like
‘Holiday’; but songs with vertical focus, expressing a
zeal for making a difference – such as the encouraging ‘Set the
World on Fire’ – really stand out. Her intimate, powerful
delivery of songs dealing with depression, abuse and father/daughter
estrangement is a key indication Nicole is poised to impact the mainstream
pop world; her faith, as expressed here, will certainly turn a few heads
– and hearts. brittnicole.com
• Daniel Kirkley: Let Love Win, Centricity/ Word
The Christian male pop vocal genre has been dry
recently; but Kirkley’s debut combines stellar production with great
songs by Nicole Nordeman, Cindy Morgan and Chris Eaton. The two standouts
for me are ‘Make it Beautiful,’ which Kirkley was asked to
perform at the Crystal Cathedral in a tribute to Virginia Tech victims; and
‘A Sacred Moment,’ a tender song which expresses his
willingness to set aside his desire for a woman out of respect for
God’s will. Kirkley’s classically influenced sound will likely
prompt comparisons with Josh Groban. The similarity will be welcomed by
many, and frowned upon by others; regardless, his vocal ability is worthy
of a listen on these 11 songs. danielkirkley.com
• pureNRG: pureNRG, Curb/Fervent/Warner
With the recent departures of Jump5 and ZoeGirl, there
has been a void for tweens looking for Christian pop. Now this vocal/dance
trio of youngsters has stepped up to the plate with this debut. Initial
exposure to their manufactured pop may scare off dignified music listeners
over 13. But this is solid music, with a little for everyone. Certainly
geared to turn a few parents’ ears are the covers of 80s hits
‘Thy Word’ (Amy Grant) and ‘Footloose’(Kenny
Loggins); the latter is no doubt intended to get them played on Radio
Disney. Other highlights include clear expressions of faith, such as the
high-octane ‘When I Get to Heaven. purenrgonline.com
Continue article >>
|
• Rebecca St. James: aLIVE in Florida, EMI/Forefront
This Christian pop sweetheart and veteran performer
releases her first live album. The project is a family affair for St.
James, with several siblings and her father involved in key ways. She
offers 14 songs – from high energy tunes like ‘God Help
Me’ and ‘Reborn’ to deeply passionate performances of
‘You are Loved’ and ‘Take All of Me.’ An
accompanying DVD includes many of the songs, and her talks between songs
– including her pro-abstinence message preceding ‘Wait For
Me,’ and moving stories from a recent Compassion International trip
to Rwanda. This is a must for any fan wanting a glimpse of her music and
her passion for Christ. rsjames.com
• John Reuben: Word of Mouth, Gotee, 2007
Christian music’s premiere rap/hiphop artist
returns with his boldest and most creative album yet. With his trademark
wit and lyrical depth, Reuben celebrates ‘regular guys’
on his fifth album. He combines elements of hip-hop, modern rock and pop,
resulting in his own signature style – showing again why he is
beloved by fans and peers alike. johnreuben.com
• Salvador: Dismiss the Mystery,
Word/Curb/Warner
These Dove Award winners’ fifth studio album is
the most personal and relevant project of their career. This is trademark
Salvador, with rich sounds of horns, tight vocals and infectious melodies.
The debut single, ‘Shine,’ is an upbeat song about being a
reflection of God in all we do; while the remaining 11 songs present
honest, poignant and insightful lyrics – which stay true to their
musical and Latino roots. salvadorlive.com
August 2007
|
