Kendall Payne
Grown
BHT Records
13 tracks @ 56:10

The life of a Christian is not pain-free.

Kendall Payne made quite a splash with her debut, “Jordan’s Sister.” Not only did it win the Dove Award for “Best Rock/Alternative” record, music from that disk wound up in movies and TV shows. Quite heady stuff for a teenager.

But some changes at her record label led to her being dropped. Kendall has since been out-of-sight. Until now.

Kendall pens intelligent, thoughtful lyrics along the lines of Sara Groves and Nicole Nordeman. Her music is generally acoustic guitar driven. “grown” revolves around the all-too-real themes found in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10.

The opening track, the melancholy “Scratch,” with its subtle cello, is about starting over; “I used to think I was special, and only I have proved me wrong.”

“Rollercoaster,” Ups and Downs,” and “Backwards” have an obvious similar theme about life, which ultimately is about allowing “the true light inside to shine.”

The single “Stand” and “Little Things” focus on not conforming to this world because in spite of our failings, shortcomings and imperfections, “He loves every little thing about me.”

“Twenty Three,” about realizing that one has grown up, and “Pray,” are also standout tracks.

This is a great record. It’s very vulnerable and very real for many people.

- Rob S.