Watermark

Item: Constant
Author: Bert Gangl

Constant

(2002)

Reviewed by Bert Gangl

Discogs Apple Music Amazon Music YouTube Music

Label Rocketown RecordsThe Phantom Tollbooth2002

adult contemporary ccm pop rock worship

Arriving nearly two full years after its predecessor, Constant, the third release from married duo Watermark, seems to take a good number of its cues from that which has preceded it. Like 1998's self-titled debut and All Things New, which followed in 2000, Nathan and Christy Nockels have fashioned their latest release upon a framework of ballads, worship songs and mid-tempo pop/rock, to mostly fine effect. "Made for You," an affirmation of honest communication between spouses, features an engaging jazz-tinged texture. Likewise, Christy Nockels' vocal work - itself a formidable blend of Christine Dente's breathy dissonance, Cindy Morgan's soulful inflection and, say, Erin O'Donnell's pop sensibility - is an exceedingly capable vehicle for the infectious soft-rock of "No Idea." And the gripping alternation between hushed yearning and grand declaration on entries like "Holy" and "Friend for Life" (Living water, swallow me/ Deepest river, wash me clean/ Jesus, Savior, more of thee) mirrors much of the fine work from the couple's ongoing work with the Passion Worship Band.

The album does run dry in places, with songs such as "Remember" and "Carry You" exhibiting a pleasant, but undistinguished character and, ultimately, leaving little lasting impression. Still, for the most part, Nathan Nockels' production coats the album with just the right fractions of gloss and grit, rendering entries like the soaring, syncopated title track and the gloriously hook-laden "Seek Me" shoo-ins for best-of-album status, not to mention eminently worthy candidates for copious pop radio airplay. Of course, it goes without saying that commercial success and artistic merit aren't necessarily intrinsically linked. Nonetheless, Constant stands as the duo's strongest effort to date. And, considering the third album's heartfelt vocal delivery, tenacious instrumental work and intelligent lyrics, the Nockels' cache of Number One radio singles, multiple Dove Award nominations and cumulative sales of 300,000 plus units all seem very well-deserved indeed.

3.5 tocks