By Kevin Pollard
• Francesca Battistelli: My Paper Heart, Fervent /Curb/Warner
ONE of the most promising debuts this year is from
Francesca Battistelli. With her piano-based alternative pop sound and great
self-penned lyrics, she is certainly on track to be the next Nicole
Nordeman or Sarah Groves. This 20-something has an infectious energy, which
is certainly evidenced on her first hit single, ‘I’m Letting
Go.’ Raised by parents immersed in the arts and Broadway, she
developed a love of music, theatre, and performance at a young age –
and decided to become an entertainer after seeing The Secret Garden.  Her soulful and
full-throated voice makes you sit up; it combines with the eclectic mix of
influences – jazz, gospel, rock and R&B – to make this one
of the best pop records of the year. One highlight is ‘Free to Be
Me,’ where she sings: “I’ve got a couple dents in my
fender/ Got a couple rips in my jeans . . . Perfection is my enemy/ On my
own I’m so clumsy/ But on Your shoulders I can see/ I’m free to
be me.”
francescamusic.com
• Matt Maher: Empty & Beautiful, Essential
Although Maher has been leading worship in Arizona and
has become quite an accomplished songwriter stateside, it turns out he was
born and raised in Newfoundland. On this debut album, he features some of
his songs which were previously recorded by other artists, such as
‘Unwavering’ (Bethany Dillon), ‘For Your Glory’
(Phillips, Craig & Dean) and ‘Your Grace is Enough’ (Chris
Tomlin). The album manages to balance lyrical depth with
congregation-oriented, singable melodies. Some of the best new songs are
‘Leave a Light On’; ‘Lay it Down’; and
‘As it is in Heaven,’ a piano-based reworking of the
Lord’s Prayer. mattmahermusic.com
• Chris Sligh: Running Back to You, Brash Music
Many remember the sharp-witted Sligh from his run to
the finals on the 6th season of ‘American Idol.’ Now Brash
Music has released his debut album, offering 13 tracks which showcase his
impressive vocal abilities. Given his personality, and after hearing his
guest vocal on Kevin Smith’s ‘Run On for a Long Time,’ I
was expecting more of a rock sounding record. But instead, we get an
eclectic mix of self-penned songs. One of them, the orchestra-backed
‘Loaded Gun,’ seems out of place. But overall, these are
well-crafted and impeccably produced songs. Highlights include the
guitar-driven ‘Waiting For You’; and the soaring vocal on
‘Arise.’ chrissligh.com
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• Joel Auge: On the Blue, Integrity
Canadian Joel Auge offers up his debut release. He
started in the late 90s with the bands Capstone, Six Days and Hewit; but
now he serves as worship leader for The Meeting House in Ontario. Although
the 12 songs here are vertical in focus, both Auge’s voice and his
art-rock, folk-pop sound is a fresh departure from the common modern
worship sound. Whether it is the Brit-pop influence of ‘So Deep in
Love,’ the roots rock vibe of ‘Where You Go I Go’ or the
introspective ballad ‘I am Here to Praise You,’ he delivers
expressions of worship in a fresh way – thanks to a unique voice and
signature falsetto.
joelauge.com
• Phil Stacey: Phil Stacey, Lyric Street
Not all American Idol finalists have seen their debut albums achieve the sales of
Carrie Underwood and Chris Daughtry; but this effort from Phil Stacey is
sure to please country music fans. Idol viewers will remember him as the bald guy with the
soulful voice who auditioned while his wife was in the hospital giving
birth. The album walks the line between a pop and country sound. The lyrics
are balanced between songs about faith, such as ‘It’s Who You
Know’; and songs about everyday life, like ‘If You
Didn’t Love Me.’ Stacey teamed up with producer Wayne
Kirkpatrick (Garth Brooks, Michael W. Smith) and some top studio musicians;
and singer/songwriter Cindy Morgan makes a guest appearance on the bluesy
country ‘Round Here.’ philstacey.com
October 2008
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