 If
Hayley had performed on American Idol, I could imagine the judges'
comments as follows:
Randy:
Your voice is KILLER!
Paula:
Oooh, Hayley, I just love everything about you! I wish you could
sing to me all night!
Simon:
Hayley, Hayley, Hayley. Your voice is extraordinary, BUT...that
song didn't really let you show off as much as I know you can. I
need more from you.
And
Simon's comment would pinpoint the less bearable truth, as usual.
Hayley Anderson introduces a shining voice to the world of LDS music
that is bound to keep her on "favorite Sabbath CD" lists
of thousands of fans. She boasts an angelically breathy voice that
can't help but draw comparisons to Hilary Weeks. It's unfortunate,
however, that when you finish this CD you're left wanting for more.
This is a solid debut that leaves itself on the verge of greatness
but doesn't offer a new sound to tantalize listeners. What it does
is mark Hayley for greatness and leave enormous potential for a
follow-up album.
When
stacked up against Hilary's debut album He Hears Me, this one comes
up slightly short only because Hilary proved her chops from day
one with a more diverse set of dynamics, styles, and sounds. Jenny
Phillips, who wrote or co-wrote every track, has mastered concept
albums after Parables and Heal Me. Unfortunately, such repetition
doesn't bode well on a pop album. Even for a Sunday CD, this is
too soft. We need to hear how Hayley treats something upbeat. I'm
not suggesting she belt out "Fever" and start auditioning
for car commercials, but I would love to hear how she climbs the
ascent in Julie de Azevedo's "Masterpiece" or bubbles
the pleasant enthusiasm of Cherie Call's "Believe."
Now
understand that the album is an ideal purchase for a mother or daughter
who could use musical inspiration to bolster their spirits. It is
a pick-me-up that, like many a song from Cherie Call or Jericho
Road, plainly manifests that the Lord will support and comfort in
times of need. Sometimes, youth and adults need to hear those things
in their simplicity.
In
Hayley's case, there is stunning simplicity in the lyrical content.
From the first lines of "He Moves Mountains in Me," there
is no doubt that she is singing to the weary. It offers an uncomplicated
message that God can do greater things with our lives than we will
ever imagine.
"Carry
Me Through" differs little besides a shift in perspective.
This time, she is speaking to Heavenly Father instead of about him.
"Fly
Again" is the obvious standout on the CD. Hayley takes a fairly
generic set of lyrics and transforms them into the sweetest melody
I've heard in years.
"Room
Enough for Him," "Perfectly," and "Waiting for
Me" each echo the chorus of peace offered to broken-spirited
souls by a loving God.
"Heal
Me" is close to a standout as well, partially due to the album's
best bridge. Ask Ron Simpson, and he'll tell you that a bridge can
turn a good song into a great one, as is the case here.
Few
new messages abound near the end of the album, as "Something
Holy in Me" attests. Still, an angelic chorus makes it difficult
to pass up this track.
A ponderous
look at the Atonement fills "In Gethsemane" with power.
The final track, "Every Corner of My Heart," is a slight
disappointment only because it keeps from saying anything new.
No
one questions Hayley's voice or Jenny Phillips' songwriting. It's
only the lack of depth as a whole that keeps this CD from sharing
the term "greatness" with Pray For Rain and others that
boast more variety.
------------------------
Jared
Johnson
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