Alathea, the latest group signed to critically-acclaimed label Rocketown Records, differs from their labelmates in a couple of ways. One, they actually fill a gap in the contemporary Christian music industry; we had heard singer/songwriter pop-rock before Shaun Groves entered the scene, and the sultry piano-based sounds of Ginny Owens were nothing new at the time, but Alathea is a trio aimed to fulfill a void in CCM, offering a pop/bluegrass hybrid that is being hyped as something similar to the O Brother Where Art Thou? soundtrack, something mainstream CCM has never really had. And two, also unlike their Rocketown chums, Alathea's debut disc is surprisingly lacking in artistic merit, making it the label's biggest misstep since Ginny Owens' disappointing Something More.
Perhaps some of the disappointment can be attributed to too much propaganda from Rocketown. Alathea are being hyped as a rootsy, homespun Appalachian folk act, yet their sound is frustratingly steeped in pop and adult contemporary influences. Ads compare Alathea's album, What Light is all About, to the best-selling O Brother Where Art Thou? soundtrack, but this record is far too polished and sleek to make a fitting counterpart to that soulful T-Bone Burnett-produced disc.
Still, all is not lost. The three women of Alathea offer solid songwriting for their first major-label project, and the Appalachian instrumentation, while far too scarce, is just plentiful enough to satisfy those who are just dipping their toe into bluegrass.
"Faithful One" is a good representation of their sound. A gentle but upbeat pop ditty, the song immerses a strong melody in just enough banjos, dobros, and organs to make it interesting, and the lyric is a simple but intelligent expression of faith.
Elsewhere, "O Love" is a pleasing (albeit somewhat flat-sounding) acoustic guitar romp, highlighted by a screeching fiddle, which serves as one of the album's more memorable moments.
The remainder of the record is fine, but not quite what it's hyped to be. Alathea's sound is supposed to be bluegrass with a hint of pop; instead, it's bland pop, given just enough bluegrass flavor to be worthwhile. "I Will Walk" fails as an entry into the bluegrass genre, but it succeeds as mellow, back-porch folk, largely because of the trio's wide-eyed innocence and delicate vocal delivery. "Emmanuel," meanwhile, would make a terrific Christmas tune, but its adult contemporary leanings make it seem a bit boring for what is supposed to be a bluegrass recording.
When What Light is All About fades out after the eleventh cut, the listener will likely have a smile on his face and a tune stuck in his head, but, if he was expecting the rootsy bluegrass twang that the album is hyped to be, then he might also feel like he just had his money stolen by a swindling con man.
Review Summary:
1. What does the album sound like?
Standard contemporary Christian pop, with some bluegrass instruments thrown in for good measure.
2. Is the album well made?
Not particularly. The songwriting is solid, and the vocals are soothing, but the arrangements play it far too safe.
3. Will you enjoy the album?
If you're looking for Christian pop with a twist, or if you want to ease your way into the world of bluegrass, then you might. If you buy into the hype about this album being pure bluegrass, then no, the odds of you enjoying it are slim.
4. Final Score: 2.5 out of 5.
2.5/5
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 2003Reviewed by Mike RimmerCristi Johnson, Carrie Theobald and Mandee Radford are the young ladies responsible for Alathea who live together in a shack at the bottom of some Appalachian mountain. No doubt they sit out on the porch and make their beautiful blend of pop and bluegrass as the sun sets in the evenings. It all sounds idyllic doesn't it? I actually met the girls at Gospel Music Week and they are lovely and a lot…
