Jadon Lavik - The Road Acoustic

Producer:  Information Not Provided
Record Label:  BEC Recordings
Website:  http://www.jadonlavik.com

It’s hard to imagine that singer/songwriter Jadon Lavik hasn’t developed a devoted following at this point.  His rugged good looks and soothing voice should be a sure-thing for any music industry - and even though Lavik has been signed to a major label (BEC) for six years and released 3 critically acclaimed releases - he’s yet to attain a massive following.  Lavik released his debut, Moving On Faith, in 2004, and released the critically acclaimed Life On the Inside the following year.  Last year, Lavik stripped off the heavy production and released an acoustic hymns record - Roots Run Deep - which found the singer/songwriter in a vulnerable position as a vocalist - and the result was a risk worth taking.  Due to that album, Lavik is releasing The Road Acoustic - an album full of some of Lavik’s most well known tunes in a bare-bones setting - letting the listener in on what was perhaps the way Lavik first heard the songs when he was writing them.  There’s a lot to like here - as The Road Acoustic is a charming album that showcases the subtlety and understated vocals of Lavik - similar to what you might hear from the likes of Josh Wilson, Jason Mraz, or Shane & Shane.  Lavik has a really nice, pure tone to his voice that fits well in an acoustic setting - and no better is this seen than on “What If” - the massive hit that put Lavik on the map at radio.  This has always been a key song in Lavik’s anthology - but in this setting - it sets the lyric up nicely and makes it a sure album highlight.  “Wondrous Love” and “Come Thou Fount” are from his Roots Run Deep record and aren’t too different from the originals.  “Moving On Faith” receives a nice facelift, while “Father” continues to intrigue even after all these years.  The album includes new cuts as well - such as the catchy “Mighty God” and subtle but sweet “Surrender”.  I would have loved to have heard the radio single “Changing Happy” in this setting - but it’s a minor quip.  Overall, Jadon Lavik has yet to really be the big breakout artist that he was destined to be.  Perhaps it’s not his time.  However, The Road Acoustic is a nice addition to his already strong catalog until then.