Avalon - Another Time, Another Place

Producer:  Shaun Shankel
Record Label:  Sparrow Records/EMI CMG
Website:  http://www.avalonlive.com

If you’re even remotely familiar with Christian music - then you know who Avalon is.  The pop vocal quartet burst onto the scene in 1996 - though they didn’t start to make their impact on the industry until 1997’s A Maze of Grace released and thanks to the runaway success of “Testify to Love” - the group’s most popular song to date.  This group has definitely had its highs (hit albums like Oxygen and In a Different Light) and lows (multiple member changes and poor album sales of the last few years) - but one thing has always remained - Avalon could sing and sing well.  They are now releasing their 8th full length studio recording (the group has also released a greatest hits compilation, remix CD, and Christmas recording) - Another Time, Another Place: Timeless Christian Classics.  The title says it all - Avalon is honoring their favorite songs from Christian music’s varied past - re-recording some of the industry’s most beloved songs into true Avalon style.  Unfortunately, this recording probably won’t be a way for the group to re-establish themselves as one of the industry’s brightest artists.  The album kicks off with Twila Paris’ “God Is In Control” - which definitely updates the song and gives it a much needed facelift - unfortunately, the rest of the album doesn’t succeed quite as well.  The group’s covers of Amy Grant classics “Thy Word” and “El Shaddai” lose all of their vulnerability and emotion with these new pop versions - also Steve Green’s “People Need the Lord” is flat out boring and lacks the punch of the early version.  Probably the biggest embarrassment is their cover of Michael W. Smith’s “Place In This World” - that is again stripped of all emotion and feeling in this new, thin pop arrangement.  All is not hopeless - as their cover of Michael English’s “Solid As the Rock” and First Call’s “The Reason We Sing” are given fresh updates, and the title cut is decent enough - though still not as memorable as the original.  The other tracks are sufficient enough but really pale in comparison to the originals - and including “We Will Stand” (which was also included on Stand) seems trivial, while covering the group’s own hit - “Testify to Love” is quite pretentious to say the least.  Overall, if you’re new to Christian music and want some danceable pop music with amazing vocals - Avalon is definitely you’re ticket - just start with one of the group’s previous efforts (particularly A Maze of Grace or In a Different Light).  Another Time, Another Place definitely shouldn’t be your first introduction to this group.

Purchase Another Time, Another Place: Timeless Christian Classics.

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