Crystal Lewis

Item: Gold
Author: Vanessa Crooks

Gold

(1998)

Reviewed by Vanessa Crooks

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Label Metro One Music / MyrrhThe LighthouseUnsorted 1998

adult contemporary ccm r&b

Crystal Lewis is a butterfly singer with an assured sense of phrasing, an amazing range, and experience far beyond her years. Her latest release, Gold, continues to mine the smooth, uplifting vein of pop for which she is noted. In the often fluffy realm of inspirational music, it is refreshing to encounter an artist of Lewis' talent, who embraces the fact that the trials of this life ultimately yield our refinement. Certainly, Gold points to the hope that awaits us as believers at our journey's end, yet it also acknowledges the very real conflict this testing causes in our lives. With this disc, Lewis attests that not only is she familiar with the struggles of faith, but she has also found a way to transcend them.

No matter the musical terrain, Lewis' delivery is supple, filled with nuance and subtlety, and frequently mesmerizing. The fervor in her singing stems from her soul, and perhaps from her roots in California's charismatic church movement. However, Lewis also draws from adult contemporary, rock, and R&B. The L.A. imprint is evident in Lewis' approach, and it is a welcome change from the typical Nashville sound of much of today's Christian music. "Dyer Road" vaunts a decidedly West Coast feel with its blend of punched-up vocals, chugging guitars, and driving percussion. Lewis effectively traverses a wide variety of styles - from the rich, Beatles-esque textures of "Be With Him," to the soft, yet searing, gospel styling of "Why" (which was co-written by Michael W. Smith). On "Remember Who You Are," she delivers lines of admonition in a manner that conveys both warning and exhortation. Throughout this album, Lewis' enunciation is clear: no lyric sheet is needed to distinguish the words. Truly, what sets Lewis apart from the bevy of talented vocalists these days is naturalness - an intuitive ease and intensity that is surely her own.

The title track and thematic thread of the project are based upon Job 23:10 ("But He knows the way I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold"), and as such, they elaborate on the tension that exists between faith and doubt. In fact, Lewis' style has been dubbed "dark worship" because of its honesty and emphasis upon our utter need for God's grace. Yet Lewis, who writes or co-writes the majority of her own material, builds upon the truth that genuine faith can withstand anything that occurs in the human experience. While the title track directly addresses single mothers, the chorus and overarching message are a promise to any believer who suffers - that beyond the tribulations there is purpose:

All your heartaches All your sufferings All your trials... are gold.

Lewis' compositions have instinctive, heartfelt musicality (more than mere hooks here) and a guileless, confessional nature. Indeed, by focusing on passion, artistic commitment, and candor, Lewis offers numerous lyrical gems.

The nuggets that Lewis extracts on Gold are commendable for both their musical and lyrical sweep, as well as their individual parts. This effort provides a "golden" accent to her continued maturity and willingness to take risks, as Crystal Lewis continues to separate the dross from the precious metal of life.