|
1. Reborn
2. Alive
3. Arise
4. Feel
5. Fragile
6. Destined
7. Stay
8. Angels
2. Alive
3. Arise
4. Feel
5. Fragile
6. Destined
7. Stay
8. Angels
Reborn
[Release Date: September 15, 2009] (E1 Music)
Track Listing:
Track Listing:
9. California
10. Holy
10. Holy
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
3.8 out of 4
2.2 out of 3
1.6 out of 2
0.6 out of 1
8.2 out of 10
Message
Music
Production
Creativity
Overall Score
| 82% B- |
During Avalon's illustrious career, the modern pop quartet has sold over three million
records and garnered 21 chart-topping singles, six Dove Awards, three Grammy
nominations and an American Music Award. In addition to founding member Janna
Long, the group is comprised of Greg Long, Janna's husband and group member since
'03, Jeremi Richardson, and its newest member, Amy Richardson, making her Avalon
debut on Reborn, and who also happens to be Jeremi's wife. With Reborn, Avalon took a
daring move and tapped modern rock producer Ian Eseklin (All Star United, Krystal
Meyers, Stellar Kart), joined by Barry Weeks, to produce the group’s 13th project. Along
with a new label partnership with E1 Music, formerly known as Koch Records, Avalon's
latest endeavor is arguably their most ambitious to date.
I happen to have every previous album recorded by Avalon, and it took me awhile to
start writing my review as I wanted to really compare whether Avalon’s sound had made
any significant changes. 2004’s The Creed has a similar sound in my opinion, minus
Jody McBrayer and Melissa Greene. I have also listened to Melissa’s solo album Next
Step several times and if you are a long-time Avalon enthusiast, you probably want to
pick up both projects. The album starts with title track “Reborn”, all 10 tracks are one
word titles by the way, which introduces the ‘new’ sound and yes, there are a few more
guitars and Avalon’s signature sound of men and women harmonizing together. I saw
the In A Different Light lineup of Avalon at my church in 2000 and I will agree that the
pop sound of Reborn is more refined and more modern sounding. The best comparison
I have is Melissa Greene’s solo album Next Step and perhaps Selah’s You Deliver Me.
In fact if you like those albums, you’ll love Avalon’s Reborn as it has more energy and is
more melodic in my opinion. Next track “Alive” is also catchy and harmonic, and stays
in your head. The messages of the songs are very much about faithfulness and being
“alive” in God.
First single “Arise” is next and is my favorite song on the album. I like how each of the
band members take a line of the song, first the two guys and then the two women each
join the song and bring the song to a higher level with the catchy chorus “grace will
reach your lowest low and never let you go…arise...arise…” The next few songs
“Feel”, “Fragile” and “Destined” all flow nicely and keep the same melodic sound going.
Janna’s vocals are very distinct on “Destined” and reminded me the most of classic
Avalon in the style of “All”, which is not a bad thing. “Stay” and “Angels” are also nice
songs and the album closes with two more memorable songs “California” and “Holy”,
which is based on Isaiah 6.
Closing Thoughts:
If you’ve always liked Avalon, then you’ll like Reborn. Although the lineup is new, the
sound is catchy pop that is very accessible and instantly recognizable. For me the
standout songs are “Reborn”, “Alive” “Arise”, “Destined” and “Holy”. If you like
Melissa Greene, Selah and well, Avalon, you’ll like Reborn.
records and garnered 21 chart-topping singles, six Dove Awards, three Grammy
nominations and an American Music Award. In addition to founding member Janna
Long, the group is comprised of Greg Long, Janna's husband and group member since
'03, Jeremi Richardson, and its newest member, Amy Richardson, making her Avalon
debut on Reborn, and who also happens to be Jeremi's wife. With Reborn, Avalon took a
daring move and tapped modern rock producer Ian Eseklin (All Star United, Krystal
Meyers, Stellar Kart), joined by Barry Weeks, to produce the group’s 13th project. Along
with a new label partnership with E1 Music, formerly known as Koch Records, Avalon's
latest endeavor is arguably their most ambitious to date.
I happen to have every previous album recorded by Avalon, and it took me awhile to
start writing my review as I wanted to really compare whether Avalon’s sound had made
any significant changes. 2004’s The Creed has a similar sound in my opinion, minus
Jody McBrayer and Melissa Greene. I have also listened to Melissa’s solo album Next
Step several times and if you are a long-time Avalon enthusiast, you probably want to
pick up both projects. The album starts with title track “Reborn”, all 10 tracks are one
word titles by the way, which introduces the ‘new’ sound and yes, there are a few more
guitars and Avalon’s signature sound of men and women harmonizing together. I saw
the In A Different Light lineup of Avalon at my church in 2000 and I will agree that the
pop sound of Reborn is more refined and more modern sounding. The best comparison
I have is Melissa Greene’s solo album Next Step and perhaps Selah’s You Deliver Me.
In fact if you like those albums, you’ll love Avalon’s Reborn as it has more energy and is
more melodic in my opinion. Next track “Alive” is also catchy and harmonic, and stays
in your head. The messages of the songs are very much about faithfulness and being
“alive” in God.
First single “Arise” is next and is my favorite song on the album. I like how each of the
band members take a line of the song, first the two guys and then the two women each
join the song and bring the song to a higher level with the catchy chorus “grace will
reach your lowest low and never let you go…arise...arise…” The next few songs
“Feel”, “Fragile” and “Destined” all flow nicely and keep the same melodic sound going.
Janna’s vocals are very distinct on “Destined” and reminded me the most of classic
Avalon in the style of “All”, which is not a bad thing. “Stay” and “Angels” are also nice
songs and the album closes with two more memorable songs “California” and “Holy”,
which is based on Isaiah 6.
Closing Thoughts:
If you’ve always liked Avalon, then you’ll like Reborn. Although the lineup is new, the
sound is catchy pop that is very accessible and instantly recognizable. For me the
standout songs are “Reborn”, “Alive” “Arise”, “Destined” and “Holy”. If you like
Melissa Greene, Selah and well, Avalon, you’ll like Reborn.
Review Written By: Kevin Davis [kevin.davis@christianmusicreview.org] Date Written: September 11, 2009
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