When Avalon released their self-titled debut album in 1996
on Sparrow Records their roster was: Michael Passons, Nikki Hassman, Janna
Potter, and Jody McBrayer. The latter
two had been vocalists with Truth. The
album was produced by Charlie Peacock. Avalon
won ‘New Artist of the Year’ at the 1998 Dove Awards.
Starting things off is ‘Give it Up’ which would become the
first of many radio hits over the span of the group’s career. This one was penned by Mark Heimermann,
Avalon, and Rikk Kittlemann and is a pop song about going all in for God: “Your
choice is black or white, not a shade of gray/Because in love there’s no such
thing as halfway/Devotion can’t be swayed, emotions can’t be torn/He’d rather
we be hot or cold than lukewarm/Bring the Father all your soul/There’s freedom
in the letting go”. ‘This Love’ is a
dance song which speaks of God’s transforming power: “This love can change a
life forever/The only way to start is giving Him our hearts, yeah/His love will
piece us back together/This is the way, this is the life/This love.../So don’t
underestimate God’s love/It’s power to heal”.
‘The Greatest Story’ is one of two co-writes by Charlie
Peacock and Douglas Kaine McKelvey. This
adult contemporary ballad includes The Nashville String Machine and strings
arranged and conducted by the now late Tom Howard. These words assure us that our lives truly
count for something: “Your life woven day by day is a new design of the glory
God displays/On the canvas of creation, through the poem of history/In the pattern
of redemption/Running through the tapestry/Your life in Christ can be/The
greatest story ever told/You cannot see the hands of God/Or feel the grace that
flows/From Him through you to those you touch in ways you’ll never know”. ‘Picture Perfect World’ anticipates heaven:
“In a picture perfect world, there would be no crime/In a picture perfect
world, we’d be free/In a picture perfect world, we’d be colorblind/But it’s
alright, I know we’ll be cared for/All right, a place is prepared for/All right,
cause sooner or later we’ll be/In the picture perfect world”.
Dennis Matkosky, Madeline Stone, and Tabitha Fair wrote
‘Don’t Be Afraid’. It’s an inspirational
song that finds God speaking words of comfort: “Oh, I hope you will let Me
in/That’s when the healing begins/There’s a wall surrounding you/Love alone can
make it through/You’re caught up in the circle you drew/And when your world
starts tumblin’ down/I’ll pick the pieces off the ground/I wanna be there for
you”. ‘Here to Deliver’ is an R & B
pop song with Tim Lauer playing the B-3 and Jerry McPherson playing electric
and acoustic guitars. It again finds God
speaking to His children: “Call Me, I’ll hear your cry/I’m as close as a
prayer/And I’m here to deliver/Don’t need to ask Me twice/Cause I’m here to
deliver you../Call Me, if you’re in need/I’m as close as a prayer/And I’m here
to deliver/Don’t have to beg or plead/Cause I’m here to deliver you”.
‘Let it Be Forever’ is an anthem about the greatest
Christian virtue: “Love has come from God and in this love we share/People see
an image of Him there/It can be an invitation that leads to deeper truth/The
kind of love they find in me and you.../Oh, but we can be a witness right
before their eyes/A living love that’s rooted in/The very love of Christ”. ‘My Jesus, I Love Thee’ is a hymn that dates
back to the 1800’s. It is performed
acapella here and includes these words of deep gratitude: “I love Thee because
Thou hast first loved me/And purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree/I love Thee
for wearing the thorns on Thy brow/O my Savior/If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus
‘tis now”.
‘Saviour Love’ is an easy listening song of testimony:
“Confiscated from the darkness and placed in palaces of light/You pursued the
very part of me/I didn’t want to sacrifice/You’re the muse my heart is
after/You have won the passion of my soul/Now, I find it’s me that’s chasing
You/And I never want to let You go”.
Christian music pioneer Andrae Crouch wrote the last song, ‘Jesus is
Lord’, which dates back to 1979. This
energetic gospel number declares who Jesus is and what He has done: “Jesus, He
was sent from the Father/Jesus, the great Messiah/Jesus, He’s bread for the
hungry/Jesus, and He’s water for the thirsty/Jesus, He’s a friend to the
friendless/Jesus, and hope for the hopeless/Jesus, He rose from the dead/Jesus,
oh, just like He said”. Horns and piano
are used.
AVALON is a noteworthy debut album. The songwriting and vocals are both strengths
here! The majority of the songs are
adult contemporary and inspirational ballads, but there are three upbeat pop
songs and one memorable gospel cover.
The two main themes on the album are: encouraging total dedication to
and reliance on God even in the hard times, and, celebrating God’s love for us
and reaching out to others with it.
There are also two praise and worship songs and one song about
heaven. If you are in need of comfort
and encouragement, this album is for you.
I’m rating AVALON 90%. For more
info visit: www.avalonlive.org.