Avalon

The Creed

Sparrow Records

10 tracks @ 44:17

Sorry we didn't review this one earlier. I picked it up a few months ago but only recently got around to listening to it. I've always liked Avalon. The group has gone through several line-up changes since its founding but Avalon still manages to make great music.

Interestingly, the group's most recent release, “The Creed,” is up for a Grammy award yet failed to make Top 10 lists for ChrisitianityToday.com, NewReleaseTuesday.com and the CCM magazine reader's poll. What's the deal?

Opening track “All” is typical Avalon, great harmonies with soaring individual singers and an uplifting AC sound. Lyrically it's about surrendering control to God. A great song.

The title track has newest member Greg Long opening things on a song written in part, ironically, by the person he replaced, Michael Passons. Greg is a fine vocalist in his own right but Michael will be missed.

“I Wanna Be With You” is another uplifting song while “Overjoyed” has a guitar-driven chorus. “The Good Way ” is a bit different in sound as it reminds me of 70's funk, almost Shaft-esque (if there is such a thing). God could return at any moment “so live like it is, find the good way, and walk in it.”

I like this record better than “Oxygen,” which didn't see many spins on my boom box.

Ignore the cheesy outfits on the cover. This is a good record, one of my favorite releases this year from among the “major” Christian artists. The Grammy nomination is well-deserved.

On the awards topic, I would like to share with you something Janna Long told 30-CC for an interview that aired in January of 2004. When asked about Avalon's nomination for an American Music Award, she said awards were “silly” and something God probably didn't care about too much. Amen to that, a Grammy's not going to get you to heaven.

- Rob S.