Jaci Velasquez - Love Out Loud

Producer:  Mark Heimermann
Record Label:  A’postrophe Records
Website:  http://www.jacivelasquez.com

Anyone who has been a devout follower of Christian music will remember the first time they heard Jaci Velasquez.  It was 12 years ago, and the then 16 year old pop-crooner was belting her way in the hearts of thousands across the country with her break-out radio hit “If This World”.  Jaci was, at that time, the fastest selling debut solo artist in the history of Christian Music - even besting her then label mate Amy Grant.  Velasquez then went on to release two more critically acclaimed and highly successful records - Jaci Velasquez and Crystal Clear - as well as three Spanish releases.  In 2003, she released Unspoken, a recording panned by the critics and not really earning much in terms of hits.  She followed that up with the brit-rock and indie influenced Beauty Has Grace in 2005 much to the delight of critics - but was a major failure commercially.  In addition, Velasquez’s own short-lived marriage failed, and Jaci found herself at a very dark place in her life.  Now, Velasquez is on the up and up.  She recently married Salvador’s Nic Gonzalez and had her first child.  This new found happiness is very evident on Velasquez’s recent recording Love Out Loud - which she is releasing independently through her own A’postrophe Records.  Love Out Loud is somewhat of a return to form for Jaci - though moreso to the sound of her sophomore recording, as opposed to the highly favored A Heavenly Place or Crystal Clear.  Much of that can be attributed to the return of Mark Heimermann in the production seat.  Trademark ballads and fresh pop songs are all the rage here - most notably on cuts like the ethereal “Love Out Loud” or catchy “Nothing But Sky”.  “Tango” and “Por Escrito” sees Jaci flexing her Spanish muscles on these Latin-based numbers.  There are some notable mis-steps here as well - such as the incredibly horrible phrasing on “It’s Not You, It’s Me” and boring “Weightless.” However, fans of Velasquez’s sophomore effort will find a lot to love here - as it contains much of the same elements that made that album succeed on so many levels.  There are no trademark ballads here like Velasquez is known for ("On My Knees”, “Look What Love Has Done”, “Imagine Me Without You") but it is a welcome return to form for the starlet.

Purchase Love Out Loud.

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