July '03 Update

With Crossover, I ran a bit short of funds, so I didn't add many artists to my collection this month. I did, however, take advantage of my library.

Artists Heard

• Philips, Craig and Dean: Praise and Worship trio whose music is mostly MOR, but some touches into light rock. The vocals have a little breathiness and nasal sounds, but they're mostly powerful, rather than gimmicky. The lyrics border on cliche, and are quite stereotypical. Good message, but singing to the choir. [2]

• Avalon: I picked out an Avalon CD so I could be more well-rounded in my listening. I can't say I really like their stuff on the radio. I got a surprise. O2 Remix isn't typical of their sound, but I didn't realize it when I picked it out at the library. It's sort of a combination techno/synth-pop Avalon. I thought the CD was a nice change from their stereotypical sound. O2 Remix earns a strong 4.

• Rebecca St. James: Though fairly hard and heavy in concert, Rebecca St. James slips into stereotypical CCM on her CDs. I think she uses way too much arena-style keyboard. The CD I sampled was mostly MOR, and lots of it bordered on Southern Gospel. Rebecca helped create the stereotype, but her vocals are clear, and gimmick-free. 4 on the vocals, but a 2 overall.

• Sarah Sadler: Non-gimmicky, no-fault vocals, with often very interesting instrumentals combine to give Sarah Sadler a hard 4.

• By the Tree: Very faint punkish vocals seep into the retro-rock sound from time to time. [4]

• Shaded Red: Hard Folk Alternative Rock MOR Praise and Worship --suffice it to say, they're diverse. One song on Red Revolution even sounded like the vocals were done by Tina Turner's brother, and track 11 had a strong late '60s feel to it as well. Other comments: plodding hard but almost monotonous; Cat Stevens/Phil Collins/Joe Cockerish vocals; Brass-driven rock.[4]

• Sherri Youngward: Here's another female artist who fits right in with Sarah Sadler, Ginny Owens, Christine Glass, Plumb and the others. She's no Peter Paul and Mary, with the edgy, faintly minor-keyed folk rock. Sherri's message is Christian throughout. [4]

From the Collection

• Riley Armstrong: Acoustic, diverse and refreshing rock. He's even friendly and easy to talk to.[4]

• Mercy Me: I don't think I mentioned this band earlier. It's rock, but, in my opinion (and lots of people might argue) it's on the slightly boring side of that soft/hard rock line. There's lots of white noise in the songs as well, and a bit heavy on the keyboard effects. They're good at what they do, but they only get a 3 (albeit a high 3) out of me.
  The copyright of the article July '03 Update in Christian Rock is owned by Paul Landkamer. Permission to republish July '03 Update in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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