Debut artists despise reviews where they get a review in which they are heavily compared to another artist. For that reason, I usually try to avoid doing that. However, with Tammy Trent's self-titled debut, there's no way to avoid a comparison to Cindy Morgan's first two releases. I'm not saying that I'm wondering if Morgan dyed her hair blonde and recorded a new album, but there's a lot of similarities. Tammy Trent is undoubtedly more R&B-influenced, but the vocal performance (including background vocals) is very similar to the early Cindy Morgan work (before she went on her Mariah Carey sound-alike quest).
Producers Tedd T. and Steve Dady helped the project maintain a solid groove throughout the work-whether a mid-tempo tune or an upbeat, danceable track. There are plenty of pop/dance hooks and even a rap segment (not by Trent...) on "Someone 2 Love." The upbeat and happy sound is complemented by easy to understand, positive, and cheerful lyrics.
One of the highlights of the project is a duet with Trent's good friend, Pam Thum. They trade lines as well as blending very smoothly in the chorus of "Starting To Believe." The song is somewhat confusing. They sing:
You help me see everything I can be and You make me laugh In the rain it's hard to believe what has happened to me it's ...it's what I've hoped For all along and now that You're by my side I'm starting to believe that dreams come true...
They even laugh and exchange "friendly I love yous" in the song. So, it seems that it's a human friend they are singing of, and suddenly turn it so that God is the friend at the end with "Once upon my lonely heart a dream came true oh and Lord it's You I'm starting to believe." It's an interesting lyrical twist, yet the performance makes it overly insincere-sort of "squeezing God in" at the end of a friendly romp.
There are several other instances where the Lord seems almost "forced" into the end of tunes. It seems almost like an apology for having the rest of the song being vague about who the "You" is. But I guess that is a small gripe, as several of the other songs are very clear in the message, such as the opener, "Emotional" ("It's not about money or fame, it's about all the things overcome in Jesus name"), "Supposed To Be" (asking God to bring a man to her that also loves the Lord), and the closer, "Let It Go," ("Let it go and you'll see Jesus can heal anything if you believe, so let it go.")
Trent co-wrote on a pair and wrote all of another track on the project, while the balance came from producer Tedd T., Veronica Petrucci, and others. She also does a slow R&B version of the Carole King classic, "You've Got A Friend."
Personally? I like it-I don't love it. It is catchy and upbeat with good solid grooves. If you like R&B-laden pop this will probably excite you. I am anxious for more from Tammy Trent.
Other coverage for this album
7ball #1Reviewed by Scott W. ChristopherAlthough many have made valiant efforts in the name of "Christian dance pop," it's been pretty rare to hear something worth the trouble. Tammy Trent has got the stuff. A fan of the Minneapolis school of pop, Tammy Trent has a great voice, and producers Steve Dady and Tedd T. have given her a great environment. These songs and these arrangements would fit on any Top 40 radio. Lyrically, the album…Salt #26Reviewed by RoadrunnerAlright, I'm a white boy, I can review a white girl's pop/dance/soul album. Besides one of my all time fave lp's is S.O.S.'s Sands Of Time & I hear alot of that type of influence behind the dance beats. Ya, it's a bit contemporary. Tammy's mentor is Amy Grant & she's good friends with Pam Thum, whom she duets with on the Pam penned "Starting To Believe". Tammy's desire is to pour out her heart to…
