Older Material, Same Great Message
Posted August 12, 2009
By SarahFine_NRT, Staff Reviewer
I, like so many others, was amazed the first time I heard 'Never Alone' by this three sister trio. I as coming out of a very dark period in my life personally, so when this song was released, it was one of those moments when you feel like a song was written JUST for you. Needless to day I rushed out and bought their first self titled album right away...
Listening back on it now, it amazed me how much this band this band has progressed since 2004. Four albums and a very sucsessful Christmas album to boot have made this band one of the most sought-after acts in the CCM industry.
The album starts off with 'On My Own', a pop/rock song about not being able to save ourselves, next up is 'Pedestal', a streight up pop song about idoletry and the quote-on-quote 'power' of stardom. Lyrically it is very well written and, in today's world, MUCH needed...musically thought it grabs the tween crowd right off the bat. 'Never Alone' is the third cut and the most powerful on the record. It's sound is nothing like the rest of the album and those who have heard it will tell you that it will grab you and not let go for awhile.
'Harder Than The First Time' goes back to the pop sound the band first established on this record while 'You Led Me', a streight forward worship tunes, goes right to the core of a mellow tune with a gradual build up. 'Mirror', a song about self image is one of the most powerful songs on the record. Had 'Never Alone' not made the cut on this album, I can imagine this would have been the biggest hit off thier debut.
'Superstar' and 'Clothes' once again go back to the whimsical lyrics of the band and the pop/rock melodies that earned them thier fan base. 'She Walked Away', a moderen day tale about the prodigal son displayes the soaring vocal power of Alyssa Barlow (who, on this album, sang most of the lead vocals). 'Average Girl' is the anthem on the album that many BG fans, boy and girl alike, have adapted. This song about not dating and waiting on God's timing is one that will hook you instantly, and whether or not you like this band, there is no denying by this song that they VERY serious when it comes to thier stance on purity. A fantastic song. 'Surrender' closes the album on a somewhat mencholly note. A cry to God about not wanting to let go of our personal goals and dreams, but in the long run, giving them up for the sake of our calling. Tacked on at the VERY last second is a little 'band roll call' spoken by producer Otto Price's children--sounding a little too much like they are trying to copy what tobyMac does with his son truDog, it's still cute nonetheless.
This album is a fantastic debut--you'll be hooked instantly. The band's sound has matured drasticlly since the release of 'BarlowGirl' and if your looking for something with some heavier lyrics and grungier music I would deffiatly check out thier next few albums, but if your wanting something to uplift you Spiritually and leave a smile on your face--this is an album worth looking into. View All Music And Book Reviews By SarahFine_NRT | View SarahFine_NRT's Profile
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