It was with much trepidation that I set about to review the newest CD from Jonathan Pierce. I expected to hear the same time-tested formulaic pop that takes little chances and dwells safely within the acceptable parameters of what passes as mainstream music these days. However, I always keep hoping, wondering, clinging to that faint-as-it-may-be hope that this time I am hearing a record that offers something different, something unique, anything to set it apart from the ordinary. Sadly, my hopes are dashed once more.
For You is the latest offering from the CCM monolith in Nashville that is obviously aimed at the cross-over market that many an inspirational artist has gone into before. Their latest choice for this mission is the very talented Jonathan Pierce. Pierce has earned his chops as a former member of both the Imperials and the New Gaither Vocal Band. And he is an impressive singer. On this album his powerful voice soars to great heights, both on the high-energy dance pop numbers and the slower, obviously made-for-radio ballads, including a tune written for Pierce's wife ("Still the Love of my Life"). Armed with a bevy of producers (including that old crooner Michael Bolton himself), songwriters, and musicians, For You is your prototypical can't-miss pop album that will doubtless succeed in the Christian market and quite possibly in the AC market as well.
That said, this album is dull, it is boring, and it is predictable. I guess this is what Word and Curb were looking for, but did they really have to make it this mundane? Pierce's vocals are largely wasted on the maudlin songwriting and largely uninventive instrumentation. For You hits the bottom of the barrel with Pierce's cover of the insipidly awful song from American Idol 2, "Flying without Wings." As if hearing it on the show was not bad enough, we get a cover of it less than six months after Ruben Studdard's initial rendition. Maybe if Word could have shipped in Big Rube for a duet with Pierce, it may have made listening to it more tolerable. Alas, I guess he had other obligations.
If you like predictable pop, buy this album. If not, you'll be bored with this record about as quickly as I was.
2 tocks
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