| The On-Line Music Review & Information Ministry |
| Melissa Greene |
|
1. Next Step
2. Imagine
3. Wonder
4. Long Road To Forgiveness
5. Army
6. Too Far
7. You Satisfy
8. Revelation Song
9. To Trust You (Jody's Song)
10. At Your Feet
2. Imagine
3. Wonder
4. Long Road To Forgiveness
5. Army
6. Too Far
7. You Satisfy
8. Revelation Song
9. To Trust You (Jody's Song)
10. At Your Feet
Next Step
[Release Date: March 3, 2009] (KOCH Records)
Track Listing:
Track Listing:
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
2.5 out of 4
2.5 out of 3
2.0 out of 2
0.5 out of 1
7.5 out of 10
Message
Music
Production
Creativity
Overall Score
| 75% C |
Avalon fans will have a new album to sink their teeth into as Melissa Greene releases her
new solo album, Next Step. Right out of the gate the album starts off stylistically with a
Christina Aguilera sounding track: “Next Step” (the title track for the album). The music
was a bit too familiar for me and I have to say, I was particularly disappointed with the
direction of the song after having read the lyrics beforehand. In my opinion, the lyrics
are powerful even if the execution was not.
The next track, “Imagine” seems to fit Melissa Greene stylistically a bit better. It’s a
successful upbeat, pop-rock song suitable for radio (this time more Martina McBride
than Christina Aguilera). “Imagine” transitions pleasantly into a ballad named,
“Wonder”. With a solid rhythm and straightforward lyrics, the song offers a message
that is clear and worshipful. Where previously I couldn’t help but make comparisons,
“Wonder” seemed to offer a glimpse of authentic Melissa - it really felt like her heart was
in it.
“Long Road to Forgiveness” is up next and continues to slow down the pace. This song
boasts a truly solid vocal with a great melody. After track four though, the album takes
a sharp and disappointing detour, in my opinion, with some over-sung, overly dramatic
vocals and more stylistic confusion. It then picks back up again with a solid cover of
the popular Praise and Worship song, “Revelation Song”. Melissa truly demonstrates her
pipes on this one and does the song justice by not over singing it. A clever addition of
pianos and club effects at the beginning of the song and an upbeat pace help to make the
song a real standout on the album.
Overall, after having listened to the album for more than three weeks (longer than most
albums I review), I felt that there were four memorable songs that would appeal to a
general audience. The others though, I fear, may only be suitable for avid Avalon fans
(who will undoubtedly see past much more than I was able to).
For more Christian Music Reviews By Aaron, visit: http://reviewsbyaaron.com
Closing Thoughts:
Though I enjoy good contemporary Christian albums, I candidly had a hard time
catching the vibe on Next Step. I think it’s because I kept getting thrown off with some
of the theatrical vocals and the changing musical styles throughout the album. The
songs, “Imagine”, “Wonder”, “Long Road to Forgiveness” and “Revelation Song” are
worth downloading individually, but unless you’re an avid Avalon or Melissa Greene fan,
I’m not sure you’ll want to purchase the entire album.
new solo album, Next Step. Right out of the gate the album starts off stylistically with a
Christina Aguilera sounding track: “Next Step” (the title track for the album). The music
was a bit too familiar for me and I have to say, I was particularly disappointed with the
direction of the song after having read the lyrics beforehand. In my opinion, the lyrics
are powerful even if the execution was not.
The next track, “Imagine” seems to fit Melissa Greene stylistically a bit better. It’s a
successful upbeat, pop-rock song suitable for radio (this time more Martina McBride
than Christina Aguilera). “Imagine” transitions pleasantly into a ballad named,
“Wonder”. With a solid rhythm and straightforward lyrics, the song offers a message
that is clear and worshipful. Where previously I couldn’t help but make comparisons,
“Wonder” seemed to offer a glimpse of authentic Melissa - it really felt like her heart was
in it.
“Long Road to Forgiveness” is up next and continues to slow down the pace. This song
boasts a truly solid vocal with a great melody. After track four though, the album takes
a sharp and disappointing detour, in my opinion, with some over-sung, overly dramatic
vocals and more stylistic confusion. It then picks back up again with a solid cover of
the popular Praise and Worship song, “Revelation Song”. Melissa truly demonstrates her
pipes on this one and does the song justice by not over singing it. A clever addition of
pianos and club effects at the beginning of the song and an upbeat pace help to make the
song a real standout on the album.
Overall, after having listened to the album for more than three weeks (longer than most
albums I review), I felt that there were four memorable songs that would appeal to a
general audience. The others though, I fear, may only be suitable for avid Avalon fans
(who will undoubtedly see past much more than I was able to).
For more Christian Music Reviews By Aaron, visit: http://reviewsbyaaron.com
Closing Thoughts:
Though I enjoy good contemporary Christian albums, I candidly had a hard time
catching the vibe on Next Step. I think it’s because I kept getting thrown off with some
of the theatrical vocals and the changing musical styles throughout the album. The
songs, “Imagine”, “Wonder”, “Long Road to Forgiveness” and “Revelation Song” are
worth downloading individually, but unless you’re an avid Avalon or Melissa Greene fan,
I’m not sure you’ll want to purchase the entire album.
Review Written By: Aaron Hassen [aaron.hassen@christianmusicreview.org] Date Written: January 1, 2009
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