Customer Reviews

In a Different Light

5 star:		(85)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Avalon is Michael Passons, Jody McBrayer, Janna Potter and new soprano Cherie Paliotta (former soprano Nikki Hassman departed the group with a Sony general market deal). "In A Different Light" is Avalon's third release; its first with Paliotta. One of the most enjoyable things about listening to Avalon is the unusual beauty of each individual's voice; together their talents are gorgeous and compelling. "In A Different Light", with producer Brown Bannister at the helm, is great contemporary pop music filled with the messages of God's love and mercy.

In the 14 months since the release of "A Maze of Grace", the group has grown individually and collectively. The excellent yet uneven "Maze" has been replaced with a polished cohesiveness evidenced in energetic yet mature vocal performances, even more impressive considering the incorporation of Paliotta. My favorite cuts: "Can't Live A Day", a power ballad of living faith that showcases the underappreciated Janna Potter, and "If My People Pray", a tightly produced pop anthem testifying to the power of prayer and the overflowing grace of God. Another song, "First Love", is an honest introspective questioning our failures to keep God first with the distractions of daily life.

Despite my apparent emphasis on their voices, Avalon's faithfulness to their calling to touch others in the name of the Lord is immediately apparent in every note of every song. "In A Different Light" is some of the most listenable inspiration you'll ever hear.

When I first heard that this CD was coming out, back in July, I remember thinking, "There is no way they could top their last one," but Avalon has gone and amazed me again. This release is my favorite for various reasons. Their words are so intensely honest, and their Euro Pop sound sets them apart from any other artist on the Christian music scene, but I'd really like to concetrate on their lyrics.

It's obvious that Avalon spent a large amount of time in prayer over these songs. The words are not sugar-coated like lots of Christian songs are becoming, but rather they expose the bare truth, that we are supposed to be "In the World Not of It," and that we "Can't Live a Day" without Him, and when we lose our "First Love" we can "Hide Our(My) Soul" in Jesus.

With Brown Bannister in charge this group's music has soared to new heights. Avalon's harmony is very tight, and all four of their soulful, yet uniquely diverse, voices are incredably powerful on their solos.

Come take on this challenge with Avalon to view life "In a Different Light."

This is the second album I have bought by this awesome group. The first one being "A Maze of Grace".

The mixture of their voices and the choice of their songs are phenomenal!! 'When did I lose my first love' is a poignant song that stirs my heart as I always wonder also 'when did I lose my first love'. Our enthusiasm for Christ and His gospel of grace and forgiveness always is so real and alive when we are first converted and, many times, during our walk with the Lord, we wonder what happened to that enthusiasm and excitement.

"I Hide my soul" is a great song reminding us that, when we feel far from the Lord, we can 'hide our soul in Jesus'.

When considering all the wonders of God's creation and love we can be nothing but "Speechless". We are lost for words to explain His unfathomable glory and Grace in His relentless pursuit of us to the point where He became incarnate, took on the form of man and died for our sins on the cross.

Your word is life, Your word is love, Your word is truth... this is so very true and the more we study God's word, the more we realize that we can 'Take Him at his Word' A great song with amazing words and harmony.

In "A Different Light" is about the truth of what will happen to us when we know, in the future, all will be made clear and we will see 'in a different light'. This is a song that helps when we are going through times of sorrow but know that 'God works for the good of all those that love Him and are called according to His purpose' even if we do not understand it now.

"If my people Pray" is a very meaningful song to me because, in South Africa, we have been holding meetings of Christians from all races and walks of life over the passed two years, praying for God's blessing on our country. Our stadiums, some of which seat over sixty thousand people, have been filled on a day set aside for this, all at the same time, praying for peace and God's work in our country. Our verse of scripture for the 2002 rally was 2 Chronicles chapter 7 verse 14... "If my people, who are called by My Name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land".

I could comment on all of the songs on this CD but suffice it to say that this is a great album to add to your collection of Christian music and will lift your hearts and soothe your souls.

AVALON...YOU ARE AWESOME! I love all the tracks on the cd~every one is excitingly different musically and the words just touch my heart especially Speechless,Cant Live A Day'If My People Pray,Only For The Weak,Hide My Soul(Jody' my skin just tingles how you sing that) and First Love~this brings tears to my eyes for my own experience and that of other family members who are away from the Lord at present. The whole cd carries the ministry of the Holy Spirit.I am in a ladies singing group(we are mostly in our 30s and 40s~are we too old for AVALON! ),called "HOPE"and AVALON have become my mentors.If we could see the Lord use us 1/2 as much to touch people,we would consider ourselves incredibly blessed. AVALON is not widely known in England and so I am recommending to my friends and they agree they are brilliant! SO WHEN ARE YOU COMING TO SEE US THEN? OUR YOUNG PEOPLE NEED YOU (and so do us oldies need your ministry). If anyone can forward any info on AVALON ie concerts,videos,testimonies, background etc,I would appreciate it.So keep up the good work, guys! we love you.

Avalon has done it once again. This album prvides a steady stream of pop/contemporary Christian music that will definitely touch you. The album starts with the incredible 'Take You at Your Word'. This song gives an upbeat, 'fun to drive with' kinda tune. It helps us to realize that God's word will always be there for us and we can rest assured that he will see us through. The next song, their first hit single, 'In, Not Of' provides a cool jazzy feel that reminds us to be in the world and not of it. The title track, 'In A Different light' gives a happy feel that will make you think to always look at everything you do in a different light. Taking track four is 'Can't Live a Day' sung by the incredible Janna Potter and has made it to WOW 2000 and into the mainstream market. Number five is 'Always Have, Always Will' which reminds us that no matter where we've been in life, we've always loved God and Always will.

I'm Speechless, Cherie Paliotta's big hit comes from a person who just can't ezplain in any words how much she loves God.

If My People Pray, is a slower melody that gives us a desire to pray and seek God's face.

Only For the Weak, a song to help those who feel so low in life, will teach them that God loves them just as much as anyone else, no matter what they have done.

Let Your Love, and upbeat song, one of my personal favorites, reminds us that God will let His love flow over us when we can't take life anymore.

Hide My Soul, even though the tune seems to be one that does not lift your spirit, the words definitely reach out and tell that we can hide ourselves from the worlds problems in Jesus.

The last song on the track, 'First love' gives a beautifully melodic way of reaching back out to God and telling him 'I've lost you, I need you, I want you back.

This is a great and spiritually challenging album and I pray that it will encourage you to seek His face.

Like most Avalon fans, I was really concerned when Nikki Hassman left the ministry to pursue a secular solo career. However, my fears were put at rest the first time I heard this CD. From the heart thumping, driving rhythm of 'Take You At Your Word' to heart renching 'First Love' this CD is by far Avalon's best effort (and their first two CDs were fabulous). New comer Cherie Paliotta can be heard in 'Speechless' and has filled the soprano gap quite nicely. I appreciate Avalon's ever variant genre' of music from ABBAish beats in 'Take You At Your Word' and 'Let Your Love' to tight Carpenter-like harmonies in 'A Different Light'. Each and every song has a message to bless the soul of every believer and God-given talent that is displayed in the best Spirit. If you love CCM music, this CD is a must have for your collection.

This is my third Avalon CD and I still love them!
My faves are Take You At Your Word and Can't Live a Day. It's true that without Christ, we wouldn't be here and I wouldn't want to ever have to live without Him in control of my life.
Loved the CD and I rank it in my favorites.

This CD sold me on Avalon. I had heard them on the raido and saw them live and thought they werent impressive. I heard this CD (after much prodding) and I really really like them. IADL is my favorite Avalon CD, hands down. I like their newer stuff too, but not as much. i really like them. but now Jody(dark haired guy) and Janna(girl with straighter hair) are the two that are still in the group. Cherrie and Michael both quit and there are new people, Michelle (i think) and Greg. they are pretty good, but i think Jody Janna Cherrie and Michael made the best Avalon.

I'm a huge Avalon fan and I'm so glad that I took a chance and got this cd. The lyrics are wonderful, their deep and its obvious that Avalon is very talented.

Just give it a listen and you'll see what I mean. My favorite song is "only for the weak" and "In not of." Their voices blend in complete harmony. I'm so glad that I got this cd.

This is the 2nd CD by Avalon I have bought. It's great! I find myself listening to it driving, while on the computer at home, at work. The two cuts that stand out are number 2 with it's jazzy background music, and number four, the solo performance by Janna Potter. The music is great but the words will lift you to new heights of worship. You'll hear the words over and over in your mind throughout the day. With Christ in your heart and these words ringing in your mind and ears your daily walk will definitely be more joyful. Thank you Avalon for these songs of praise and worship. My life has been brightened having listened. :)