New Review: NeuFutur Magazine
Christian music has always been a part of my post-youth life. I was
first introduced to the music of the Newsboys back in about 2000, and
ever since then, I’ve been attempting to find the best and brightest in
the genre. Alexandra Celano’s 2009 release “I’m Overcome” came to us
just a few days ago, and I have to say that it may just be the best
Christian album of this year.
This is due to the fact that Celano is able to touch upon all the
distinct twists and turns that the genre has taken over the course of
the last twenty years, while adding a number of different stylistic
flavors from secular music to make for something stellar. The disc’s
introductory track, “I’m Overcome”, feels as if Amy Grant and Dolly
Parton had a meeting of the minds, while the instrumentation uses
country, sixties pop, and even hair metal for fonts of inspiration. “In
This Place” showcases the vocal acumen of Celano, using little more than
her harmonies to make for a song that is hauntingly brilliant. During
this track, shades of sixties pop hobnob with a much more rich Americana
tradition, ensuring that all will enjoy the track.
“My Father’s Hands” shows the consistency of Celano’s ability, while the
instrumentation rises and swells to provide the perfect support to the
vocal component of “I’m Overcome”. “More Than A Man” shows that Celano
does not falter at the later reaches of the album, with a
deliberately-paced track that showcases Celano’s narrative ability. “I’m
Overcome” is one of the best Christian albums of the year because it
simply puts out a way for listeners to find the glory of God, without
all of the glitz and unnecessary flash that has invaded the Christian
scene of the last few years. Each of the 11 tracks on the album is
glorious, and I feel that the Christian faith will be further bolstered
any time Celano chooses to let her feelings and thoughts be captured on
this media.
Top Tracks: I’m Overcome, In This Place
You can find this review by James McQuiston, Editor of NeuFutur magazine and ezine at www.neufutur.com
