  Shane
Jackman enlisted a number of big LDS music names to lend their talents
to Sanctuary, his latest release on Highway Records. Guest artists
include Cherie Call, Julie de Azevedo, and Greg Simpson - just to
name a few. Unfortunately, even the aid of these musicians does little
to improve upon an album that falls short in originality and entertainment
value. The overall concept, design, and music from the album contain
an unpolished potential that left me disappointed in the final product.
"Sanctuary,"
the first and title track, is probably the most solid and well-written
song on the album, and it illustrates the potential that I kept
waiting to hear again throughout the rest of the disc. Instead,
I heard a lot of songs that, after a number of listens, were hard
to separate and all kind of bleed together. What this album lacks,
in my opinion, is more contrast in the mood and atmosphere of the
songs. It's almost like Shane is trying too hard to be sentimental
and profound, and his real creativity is stifled because of it.
Unfortunately, even the song that varies the most from the slow
ballad formula, "Pirates of the Santa Fe," is a little
too reminiscent in style and story to the Eagles' "Hotel California."
Don't
get me wrong, there are certainly redeeming qualities on the album,
like the aforementioned "Sanctuary." Another great song
is "The Good Shipbuilder," which tells the tale of one
Ebenezer Bryce, an old shipbuilder that leaves the sea to build
a church in the American West. This song does a great job of telling
a story and brings in a magnificent gospel style and sound that
help to frame the picture just right. The Christmas ballad "Softly
and Deeply" is a moving and compassionate tribute to the Savior,
but even that song is marred by an unnecessary interlude of "doohs"
and "dahs" that takes away from the beauty captured in
the rest of the song.
From
time to time throughout Sanctuary, the musical talents and potential
of Shane Jackman show forth. Unfortunately, they are not as consistently
evident as the listener would hope for and should expect. I would
only recommend this album for those who are not particular about
their LDS music or those looking for something soft and mellow to
listen to while they fall asleep. Otherwise, think your time and
money can be better spent elsewhere.
------------------------
Chris
Hartwell
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