Brynn, Cheryl, Sparky, Heli, and Jennifer-that's right, Christian rock's only all-female band, Rachel Rachel, is back! These ladies really know how to resurface. You Oughta Know By Now, the follow-up to their self-titled debut album left me in awe with my mouth hung open and jaw dragging.
Their spiritual maturity and enrichment can clearly be seen. Their music seems to have a new found power, both musically and lyrically. The song writing talents of Brynn Beltran and Cheryl Jewel have reached new heights, as have Cheryl's vocal abilities. She seems to have developed to the point where she can confidently belt out the vocals for those really rocking songs yet still give the ballads that touch of gentleness and compassion.
You Oughta Know by Now contains ten Rachel Rachel originals, nine of which were written or co-written by the group. Along the way they received help from producer Billy Smiley of White Heart, who the band is also presently touring with. For help on guitars, the band utilized the talents of Dann Huff of Giant.
The album reminds us over and over of the assurance, of the safety, of the comfort which we can find in our Lord. This can clearly be seen in even the titles of several of the songs: "You Are Always There," "You Comfort Me," "In Your Arms," and "Only Heaven Knows." My personal favorite from this album is "In Your Arms," the only song on which Heli Sterner sings lead, with the backing vocals of Jewel, the magic of the band, and the guitar mastery of Dann Huff. This song reminds the Christian that there is only one place where we can be, where we should be, and that is in the arms of our Savior. We are also reminded that those arms are always there. If we should happen to stray, they will always be there to catch us, if we let them.
I really have to commend Rachel Rachel on their latest effort-it is a tremendous album. I hope that they keep up the good work and I hope that you check them out.
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