Crystal Lewis is coming off a couple of very good years. She just won a Dove award as 1998's Female Vocalist of the Year for her work on her CD Beauty for Ashes. Before that, her song "People Get Ready, Jesus is Coming" was the number one Christian AC single of 1996, when it stayed at number one for four weeks. She follows up that success with her current project, Gold. The twelve songs on this CD are a mixture of soulful pop and penetrating lyrics proclaiming Christ in the midst of life's trials and cares. While not as strong as her previous project, there are some fine moments here.
Gold starts out strong with the song "Tomorrow," an upbeat song warning against the dangers of complacency: "Tomorrow is much easier to deal with than today/ But when tomorrow comes, I still don't want to change."
Lewis reminds us that, with the way things go, tomorrow may not come. The next 3 songs really show off her great vocal talents. She can take a phrase and work wonders with it, effortlessly moving up and down her vocal register. "Not the Same," another upbeat song, is a good example, as it celebrates a life changed by the grace of Jesus Christ.
The pace slows down a bit with "For Such a Time as This," probably my favorite song on Gold. It is a wonderful ballad that calls us to leave our comfort zones and step out in faith to what God calls us to do:
For such a time as this
Isn't it much too great a risk
I've never flown from the edge of a cliff,
Never walked on the water.
But if I turned away
How would I know what I have missed
Have I waited all of my life,
For such a time as this.
Lewis approaches the next song, "Dyer Road," as a rock song. A harder, rawer edge, and her passionate vocals combine with its driving guitars to elevate it above the many slower songs on the CD. This energetic approach matches well with the lyrics, which speak of the confidence that we can have in God's promises.
Unfortunately after such a strong beginning, the rest of Gold falls flat. The last six songs are all ballads and sound pretty similar. Beginning with "What About God," a lounge track which sounds like it was recorded in a busy nightclub at happy hour, through the final "Gold," the songs lack the exuberance and spirit of the first half. The title cut, though making a strong lyrical statement and despite the inclusion of some nice jazz guitar work, plods along causing the listener to wonder when it will ever end. The other songs, while interesting lyrically, go nowhere musically. Under the watchful eyes of producers Brian Ray and Dan Posthuma, the emphasis here is Lewis's vocal talents. The music is clearly secondary.
Although there are some great moments on Gold, it lacks the consistent quality of Beauty For Ashes. Lewis's many fans will probably find this a welcome addition to their collection. But for those looking for more of the excitement and creativity found on her previous release, this project will be a disappointment.
3 tocks
Other coverage for this album
The Lighthouse Unsorted 1998Reviewed by Vanessa CrooksCrystal Lewis is a butterfly singer with an assured sense of phrasing, an amazing range, and experience far beyond her years. Her latest release, Gold, continues to mine the smooth, uplifting vein of pop for which she is noted. In the often fluffy realm of inspirational music, it is refreshing to encounter an artist of Lewis' talent, who embraces the fact that the trials of this life ultimately…The Phantom Tollbooth 1998Reviewed by Shari Lloyd"...when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold." This quote from Job 23:10 provides an apt title for this release. Through twelve songs, Crystal's powerful vocals cut through the upbeat music to remind us that our faith is lived out in real life experiences that mold and shape us. This is Crystal's fifteenth album in eleven years, an impressive portfolio for someone still in her twenties.…Similar sounding releases
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