Love Like This is still in need of some Refinement
Posted October 08, 2008
By Nathan,
Give the people who decide what songs become singles for Ayiesha Woods a round of applause. The up beat and radio friendly “happy” was a great way to introduce Woods, was a brilliant way to get her name out in a good way. Throw in “big enough” with tobyMac, and you have a great start to a career, but a solid sophomore effort certainly key as well. And Love Like This unquestionably rose to the occasion.
The opening single to Wood’s latest is the title track, which is a simple song with the light pop being just enough to keep the song from becoming too slow, which sets the tone for a mostly soft adult contemporary album. If some wanted a more energetic CD with the majority of songs like “happy” Love Like This is not the place to find it since only “love can’t wait” and “fight” are the most energetic songs on the record. The foundation of the album is light pop and adult contemporary with a hint of hip hop to keep the ball rolling. The ballad “Take me there” does an effective job of remaining inspirational even with a chorus, for the most part, doesn’t follow suit and “one day” is basically adult contemporary.
“Alive” is a diverse song which mixes pop with a hint of techno with a retro style which may or may not be bad. The whole problem with Love Like This that it borders on boring, because little on the CD is spectacular and even less than that is original. Still Wood’s does have some moments on “transparent” a funky pop song where the drums play a big part; The music really plays to the lyrics of the song which is a good thing because the song is far too simple otherwise. Another daring song is “Never” which also has a retro tune and a upbeat snappy pop tune.
Six out of the eleven songs on Love Like this mention love multiple times, which would lead one to believe that it is the main topic of Wood’s album. The lyrics are not incredibly complex and they get their point over, plus with the exception of “love like this”, the lyrics steer clear of clichés. “Refine me” is a fine song that is about not settling for less with a relationship with God that is rampant in American Christianity (‘You're my God and my Father / I've accepted your Son / But my soul feels so empty now / What have I become / Lord come with Your fire / Burn my desire / Refine me’).
Songs like “fight” and “new beginning” make for a strong album lyrically but Simplicity does shows up on “Alive” and “because of you”. Love Like This is an album with good things to say that may not do enough trail blazing enough for fans who want something more complex on the music side. All in all Ayiesha Woods puts out a solid album.
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