Crystal Lewis is fearless, and her latest album, Fearless, shows it. Running her own record company with her husband, producer and songwriter Brian Ray, and expressing her art from her Los Angeles-area base instead of the main power center of Christian music, she risks a lot on each album she makes, but it gives her a freedom that few artists know. Her music is totally lacking in the pervasive "Nashville sound" that infects so much of the contemporary Christian music sold today. It is an extremely welcome breath of fresh air. Then again, maybe it's California smog instead of fresh air we've been missing all this time.
Smooth R&B sounds open the curtain on "Reach Out," closely followed by the soulful rhythms of radio hit "Satisfied," co-written by Jyro Xhan of FoldZan fame. Lewis wrote or co-wrote seven of the twelve tunes on Fearless, and coupled with her openness, honesty, and sheer talent as a songwriter, Lewis continues to display the vocal prowess that has led to her success. Brian Ray collaborated on "Reach Out," the title track, and two other songs. He also penned two more by himself, including "Only Fools," one of the most memorable tracks about materialism in recent memory. With pithy lines like, "It is better to be poor than a liar," the understated techno-soul track is embellished with Lewis' crystal clear vocals (no pun intended), and solid harmonies. Top quality production and deep creativity characterize the project. It takes Beauty For Ashes, one of Lewis' previous releases, and fearlessly adds more edge, more pop/R&B flavor, and more punch in the lyrics. There is a funkier sound here than on Gold as well.
"I Still Believe," written and co-produced by gospel-hop master Kirk Franklin, is yet another creed song, but not as theologically-oriented as its peers, focusing more on a belief in God's hope and love than in doctrinal tenets. It has a thick downbeat, but it isn't the best track on the disc, looming in the shadows of powerful songs like "One Man" by Brian Ray. "One Man" has a bit more roughness around the edges in the form of distorted guitar in the background on the refrain and bridge, and it helps drive the point home that there is only one man Who can change the earth.
In yet another bold move, rappers T-Bone and J-Raw appear on "What A Fool I've Been" and add an appropriately juicy rap bridge to the dark, remorseful tune. You won't hear something like that coming out of Nashville.
In all, Lewis and Ray release a strong collection of tunes that won't wear out its welcome in the CD player anytime soon. It is fearless all around, showing the artistic boldness to produce music that doesn't neatly fit the status quo or follow the popular trend toward guitar-based acoustic rock. Crystal Lewis is fearless indeed, all the way down to the leather pants on the cover. Bold music makes for a good listen, and this project is sure to please old fans while picking up new ones along the way.
4.5 tocks
Similar sounding releases
2001Natalie GrantStronger
2000Jaci VelasquezCrystal Clear
2000KinaKina
2001Nikki LeontiNikki Leonti
2000Rachael LampaLive for You
2003AvalonThe Very Best of Avalon
