Sierra

Item: Devotion
Author: Jackie Brown

Devotion

(1996)

Reviewed by Jackie Brown

Discogs Apple Music TIDAL Amazon Music Spotify YouTube Music

Label Star Song RecordsThe LighthouseApril 1996

ccm country pop

From the time Sierra's self-titled debut was released at the tail end of 1994, comparisons to other "female harmonizing" groups were inevitable. With the release of their second project, Devotion the names of Wilson Phillips and the Indigo Girls are again being invoked.

It's no small compliment to be compared to either group. Unfortunately, though, the comparisons aren't entirely accurate. The physical resemblance to Wilson Phillips is uncanny, but Sierra lacks their crisp effervescence and tightly-focused style. Neither do Indigo Girls comparisons hold up. There just isn't enough strength, edge, or depth in Sierra's repertoire.

That's not to say the record is by any means a flop. It's actually very nice work, with pretty harmonies and some toe-tapping moments. It's just that overall, the project lacks weight and definition, especially if you approach it with unduly high expectations.

Stylistically, it's a mixed bag. The lead track, "Hold Onto Love," offers both country twang and a sax solo, kind of a jarring combination. The country theme doesn't consistently follow through, though it reappears in other cuts, such as "Hope For The Hopeless," and "I Know You Know." Meanwhile, other songs such as "You Never Change" and "That's When I Find You," for example, have the ear-friendly, made-for-radio pop sound shown on their previous release.

There are predictable twists and turns, both musically and lyrically. I was sorry to discover that nearly all of the harmony is done in unison; there are no adventurous interplays, no spontaneous departures from the three-voices-as-one format. The lyrics follow the path of least resistance, sliding into familiar phrases, making it fairly easy to guess what's coming next.

There are a few songs that stand out. "No Higher Place," for example, is a gentle praise ballad that responds beautifully to some very nice vocal interpretations; it has an emotional depth that is generally absent through much of the project. "I've Got The Joy" is as exuberant as it needs to be to convince you that they mean what they're singing, and "I Need" is a moody, heavy, rockabilly kind of number unlike anything else on the record. It was so out-of-place that I initially disliked it. In the end, though, it proved strong enough to hold up best under repeat listening.

Overall, Devotion is pleasant and upbeat. It would be a nice addition to a teenager's record collection or for anyone who enjoys female-based adult contemporary music with direct and uplifting lyrics. The women in the group-Deborah Schnelle, Jennifer Hendrix, and Wendi Foy Green-are likely to win the hearts of girls who seek role models. Listeners who check out Devotion because of the comparisons to other groups, however, might come away a little bit disappointed.