The pre-release hype for this project attracted my attention a while back-mainly because Chris Rodriguez was making his debut as a producer. And then I heard "No Better Place" on the radio, thought "Sierra rip-off," and nearly dismissed the project altogether. Lucky for me, I'd already signed up to review it-otherwise I would have missed this wonderful disc. You know what they say about jumping to conclusions....
Fortunately, my early comparison to Sierra, Tuesday's Child, et. al., was unfounded. O'Donnell and crew (mainly producer Rodriguez and her husband/songwriter Brad) have crafted a mature set of songs that comfortably avoids re-treading other artists' sounds. A more accurate description would pair Out of the Grey or Twila Paris' last disc with vocals less sweet but fuller than Lisa Bevill. That tells you approximately what this sounds like-not who she's knocked off. The tunes here range from the jangly pop of "No Better Place" and "From Me To You" to more straightforward guitar-based pop on "Didn't Even Know" and "Be Still And Know" to more worshipful, quiet songs like "I Will Trust In You" and "Things I Cannot Say." O'Donnell's voice shifts easily from brassy to reflective; you sense that she feels each line she sings. Rodriguez, who also sings and contributes guitar parts, gives the album an easy, open feel-each instrument stands out in the mix. He's assembled a solid band, including Jerry McPherson on guitar, Dan Needham on drums, and Jackie Street on bass. All turn in strong performances without drawing attention to themselves-the focus here is on the songs and O'Donnell's voice, even on a driving song like "Even In My Youth."
Though all of the songs were written by O'Donnell's husband Brad, they're definitely marked by a woman's perspective, often specifically written in a woman's voice-remembering her childhood ("Even In My Youth") or trying to sort out the failing of a marriage ("Dear Francis"). Lyrics deal with love relationships ("Things I Cannot Say," "Dear Francis," "From Me To You"). On "Let's Talk About It," O'Donnell sings:
We often sound so sure and confident An answer for every doubting soul And even as well as we've fared There's something we've not shared Let's talk about it Can we break through to the other side Let's talk about it Let's talk about what we're both trying to hide
Several songs also focus on the security of our position in Christ ("No Better Place," "Eternal Spring," "I Will Trust In You," "Even In My Youth").
This is a remarkable debut-full of engaging songs (mercifully short on cliches) and quietly strong performances all around. Guess this'll teach me to judge an album by one song, huh?
Similar sounding releases
1999Say-SoStill Waters
1995Carolyn ArendsI Can Hear You
1996Linnae ReevesLinnae Reeves
1999Kendall PayneJordan's Sister
1999LaRueLaRue
1994Julie MillerInvisible Girl
