 I
have heard previous LDS Styles CDs, but the latest release fares better
than the rest as far as professional sound and appearance. This compilation
is a great mix of the kind of LDS music that is available. The tracks
on the CD include:
Surrounded
By His Love by Steven Stewart, James Day, and Jim Gately -Vocalist
Amanda Ventrice brings an energy and passion that makes this a strong
opening track. This is probably one your grandma would push the
Skip button on but it has a nice pop feel to it.
Ecstacy
of Life by Jennifer Lemmon -This is another high-energy pop song
that I could imagine hearing on any Top 40 radio station. These
first two would receive high ratings from teenagers.
Pharisee
by Mark Hansen - The music on this one is catchy, and literally
sounds like you are standing in a factory. My only complaint with
the track is that the music is so strong that it overpowers Mark's
voice. You really have to listen to hear the lyrics. With a little
mixing this could be stronger.
River
of Life by EnZign - I wasn't familiar with EnZign before Styles
5, but I was very impressed. Their vocals create a perfect harmony,
and their mix of piano, guitars, and percussion make this a great
arrangement.
Big
Time by Sam Payne - It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of Sam's
music. He has my vote for the best song writer around and "Big
Time" is no disappointment. This is the movie Mission Impossible
in four minutes. The conclusion of the song is classic, looking
at how our lives aren't always going to be high-excitement, but
it's good enough to have "a lawn to mow and some kids to grow".
Change
by Stephanie Smith - Speaking of superb song-writers, cue Stephanie
Smith. I knew this was a good song when I started humming it driving
to work one morning. It took a minute to figure out what song it
was, but then remembered that this was the one. Stephanie's style
is reassuringly recognizable, and has broad appeal to listeners.
Memory
Lane by Tracy Keeney - Tracy's voice is good, but the track wasn't
a favorite of mine because it reminded me too much of my mom's music
that I would always switch when I was younger. Despite that, I'm
sure an older age demographic would enjoy Tracy's style.
Elephants
by Eric Herman and the Invisible Band - I thought this one was a
joke at first listen because of the simplicity. I was thinking "anyone
who likes the Teletubbies will love this song." Then the humor
of the song kicks in with a little girl's voice interrupting the
singer correcting him for mixing up the animals. So I concede. This
one definitely belongs on the CD.
Happy
Little Duck by Border Crossing - These guys achieved their goal
of making a really "stupid song" (Hey! They said it, not
me!). I laughed through the whole song. They describe certain things
that shouldn't meet up such as, oh, a duck and a bus. At the end
song they are quick to notify the animal rights activists that no
animals were injured during the production of the song.
Neverbland
by FiddleSticks -This is a high energy instrumental track which
has the feeling of being at a big old country hoedown, with much
the same feeling as the music in The Work And The Glory movie. Grab
the banjo!
Seasons
by Rich Bischoff - Rich has such a smooth, mellow voice, and Seasons
shows the growth that Rich has made since his Freshman CD, Mission
Stories. His vocals and arrangement of songs has improved dramatically
as evidenced here.
When
You're Here by Jared Ong and April Meservy - I wasn't sure about
this one at first but it grew on me. This is another song that reminds
me of begging mom to turn off Neil Diamond or John Denver (both
of whom I enjoy now).
Price
for Freedom by Ashley Harris - This is some twangy country music,
and the mood fits the CD well. There is a good message about the
sacrifices that families are making to keep us free, but it took
a few listens for the song to grow on me.
Adam-Ondi-Ahman
by C.S. Bezas - This is a solo piano piece with a nice spiritual
sound to it. The technique of the playing and the sound of the piano
sound good, and I was happy to see another instrumental piece thrown
in to the mix.
Come
to the Savior by Jeanni Gould - There is a good message is this
slower piano ballad. The vocals are strong also. If I were arranging
the order of songs on the CD, I would have put this one somewhere
in the middle, and ended with something a little stronger.
The
songs on LDS Styles 5 are so varied that there is something for
everyone here. With everything from instrumental to pop to country
music, Styles shows the high caliber of musicians at the forefront
of LDS music. Favorite songs and the ones that stand out are definitely
Big Time by Sam Payne, River of Life by EnZign, and Seasons by Rich
Bischoff. Another bonus to the CD is an additional 20 bonus MP3
tracks by musicians like Jared Johnson, Steven Steward, and Crinna
Hill. I'm rating the album at 2.5 because many of the songs don't
reach out and grab you as catchy songs. Granted, there are some
dramatic exceptions to this (cue Sam, Stephanie, EnZign, Rich, etc.).
Hopefully the album will give some exposure to some of the talented
up and coming musicians.
2.5
stars out of 5.
------------------------
Cory
Reese
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