The sophomore effort from Randy Phillips, Shawn Craig, and Dan Dean, Lifeline, is a collection of ear-friendly tunes similar to their debut.
Seven songs were written or co-written by one of the members, and three songs are by other songwriters. Ironically, only one song was a collaboration in the group-Phillips and Dean combined talents on "A Friend Called Grace," a nice artistic look at Jesus, our "friend called grace," and how He "Doesn't care about your past or your many mistakes/He'll cover your sins in a warm embrace."
Each a pastor in his local area, the lyrics tend to be unquestionably focused on God. Most of the titles speak for themselves: "He'll do Whatever it Takes," "Will You Love Jesus More," "I Want to be Just Like You," and "Can I Get a Witness." "The Concert of the Age" is an interesting way to view the second coming-as a great big concert as we praise God. I especially liked "He Believes in Lost Causes," an upbeat and grooving reminder that "When common sense would just give up/He believes in lost causes...'Cause He believed in me."
"Strong Determination" and "Build a Bridge of Love" are a pair of more horizontally focussed tracks about love and our need for human unity.
The tunes are a collection of inspirational and contemporary styles, with a noticeable R&B flavor. For me they were probably too ear-friendly, as they tended to just settle into the background, forcing me to listen intently or miss the point.
Aimed for fans of the Adult Contemporary format, the album delivers 47 minutes of serious Christian reminders in a sweet musical setting.
Similar sounding releases
1994Steve GreenWhere Mercy Begins
1999Al DensonSignature Songs
1995Wayne WatsonField Of Souls
1996Aaron + JeoffreyAfter The Rain
1994NewSongPeople Get Ready
1996David RobertsonSomeone Who CaresMore from Phillips, Craig & Dean
2001Let My Words Be Few
1996Repeat The Sounding Joy
1995Trust
2003Let Your Glory Fall
1992Phillips, Craig & Dean
2000Restoration
