With the success of Dove-award winning groups like 4Him and Point of Grace, there might be a tinge of intimidation felt by a new group in contemporary Christian music, especially one exploring similar musical territory. But don't tell that to Sparrow's latest pop quartet, Avalon! They have hit the Christian music scene with an incredible debut album that should produce them some hits on your local Christian radio station.
Avalon is Nikki Hassman, Jody McBrayer, Michael Passons and Janna Potter. The group's name comes from an allegorical reference to heaven in medieval times. The group was hand-picked, over a period of 18 months, by Sparrow president Peter York and others from the available talent pool in Nashville. All of the members have been involved in Christian music prior to joining this group. McBrayer and Potter used to sing with Truth, Hassman sang background vocals for Clay Crosse, and Passons has performed as a solo praise and worship artist. With these experiences behind them, the members of Avalon are ready to move to the next level of Christian music.
The album opens with the first radio single, a catchy tune called "Give It Up," which is a song encouraging the listener to give God total devotion and watch how He will bless when you "give it up" to Him:
Give Him all of your heart Give Him all of your life Give Him all of your soul Give it up, give it up
"This Love" utilizes a more aggressive form of pop to describe the unique love that can only come from a relationship with Christ-once you've become enthralled in the love of Jesus, the potential you have of touching other people's lives is endless. "The Greatest Story," the second radio single, slows down the tempo a bit to describe the transformation of a life when someone accepts the Lord; with Christ at the center of the story of your life, it can be the greatest story ever told.
"Picture Perfect World" describes the dream of most people-to live in a world free of imperfections. But until we reach heaven, as much as we would like to see a picture perfect world, it is through the imperfections that we can rely on God to help pull us through. The album slows back down with "Don't Be Afraid," which encourages us to be fearless in witnessing to others, encouraging us to rely on God for the confidence and strength to tell them about the good news. "Here To Deliver" is a song about praying to God about the needs in your life. This is a fun song with a serious message we all need to be reminded of. "Let It Be Forever" describes the kind of love that God expects from us-more than mere superficial feelings, but rather real concern and care for the souls of others.
The group breaks out into a capella on the classic hymn, "My Jesus, I Love Thee," a fitting tribute to the legacy of hymns on contemporary Christian music. "Saviour Love," which was partly written by the members of Avalon, describes the complete devotion and faith in the love of Jesus. It is His love that sustains us and grants us the ability to do things that would otherwise be impossible.
The last song on the album is a tribute to Andraé Crouch with a fine rendition of "Jesus Is Lord." Avalon brings a moving performance, proclaiming their mission as a Christian group: proclaiming Jesus Christ as the Lord and Saviour of the world!
Avalon has a sound familiar to fans of Truth, 4Him, East to West, First Call and Point of Grace. They have the tight harmonies that define some of the most popular groups in contemporary Christian music. With the production skills of Charlie Peacock, Avalon seems well on their way to becoming one of the top groups in the contemporary Christian music scene.
More from Avalon
1997A Maze Of Grace
2003The Very Best of Avalon
2002O2 (Avalon Remixed)
1999In A Different Light
2001Oxygen
2004The Creed
