Customer Reviews

Larue

5 star:		(32)
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3 star:		(1)
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I'm becoming a regular reviewer of Christian albums here on Amazon.com, So I've decided to create some order to my reviews in hopes that I can be more useful to you the surfer. :-) Here goes...THE ARTISTS: LaRue is a brother/sister Christian music duo. They are both teenagers (apparently very close in age). This is their first album, released in 1999 on Reunion Records (the home of "The Great One" Michael W. Smith). THE ALBUM: To be blunt, LaRue is quite possibly the greatest thing to happen to the "rock side" of contemporary christian music in years. These two are young and fresh, with their own unique sound, and their music is bursting with creativity as well as quality. These two have the musical talent to catch the ears of ANYONE, no matter what their beliefs... What's more... they have personally penned all the songs on this album (no recycled second-hand songwriting here). This album is full of hope, but at the same time indisputably real. THE VOCALS: Philip and Natalie have two very distinct (and different) vocal styles. Natalie's is the hardest to describe. Her voice is young and extremely fresh; I believe it to be unique among female artists. Philip seems to put more of himself into the music (he's seen holding a VERY sweet guitar in one of the booklet photos). His voice reminds me at times of that of the lead singers from Better Than Ezra (secular) or Smalltown Poets (christian), both excellent soft rock voices with a bit of grit. But only at times; Philip very clearly also has a style all his own.Their two voices blend together with an almost-perfect balance of togetherness/individuality. I really like what I hear from both of them.THE MUSIC: Most albums that try to blend the edgyness of rock with the approachability of contemporary end up splitting their albums between the two styles (Even "The Great One" has been guilty of that sometimes). But Philip and Natalie LaRue have managed to create their own special corner inbetween the two styles. I think it's near-impossible to compare their music to that of ANY other single artist (my best attempt: the first four bars of "Someday" bear a resemblance to Natalie Imbruglia's "Torn")... Their music style combines the best elements of several groups and styles. But their arrangement and delivery is too original to categorize.FAVORITE SONG(S): Probably "Someday", a song about the longing almost all of us have for that one perfect person to share your life with. I attempted to express in words here just what this song says, but it's impossible for me to do it. Listen to the sound clip, or better yet buy the album! The first two radio hits off of LaRue were "Waiting Room" and "Reason". These two songs had the catchiest radio-type tune, but the entire album is of equally-high or higher quality.FOR WHAT TASTE: I can only speak personally, but those who enjoy the likes of Smalltown Poets, Caedmon's Call, Eli and Jennifer Knapp will probably find LaRue to their liking.THE FINAL WORD: LaRue conveys several artistic necessities that Christian music sadly doesn't convey enough... passion that shows honesty and faith that doesn't ignore reality. These guys are in a word, fantastic. Get their album, you won't be disappointred.

Okay when one takes into account that both Phillip and Natalie are in their teens, its hard to believe they produced such a powerful album without help. Yet each track is written exclusively by this brother and sister duo. This first album from LaRue displays the beginnings of an edge and maturity later found in their third album "Reaching". Nonetheless the music is catchy and the lyrics are moving. Natalie's voice seems out of place in one so young, it has a depth and range most older vocalists crave. The lyrics are powerful in some songs and somewhat whimsical in others. "As She Cries" stands out as my absolute favorite on the album, it's impossible not to be moved by the sad melody and awesome lyrics, about the love and peace that is to be found in Jesus. Tracks like "Star" display a sense of independence and a refusal to fit the norm so rare in today's youth. "Someday" stands as a touching song about waiting for the one you love and that God has intended for you. Many artists have attempted to sing about abstinence but this moving track stands out as a powerful statement for waiting for marriage. While this isn't my favorite album by the duo it's still an amazing debut and great start to finish.

LaRue truly deserves the buzz their debut has received.

For starters, thir voices are more than impressive. Phil LaRue has a beautifully easygoing and listenable tone to his voice. Natalie's voice is incredible, deeply textured but never over the top.

The siblings tackle many issues on the cd, and for the teen age target group, they do it well. All the tracks were written as a collaboration between both, and the feat of 10 self penned songs on a debut before they're 18 is impressive. But that talent has some obvious growing room left.

If you like lyrics like my smile appears upside-down/i guess then it's called a frown ("Fallen King") then be my guest. If you need lyrics that are a little more interesting, this may not be the cd for you.

The only other possible flaw here is that the melodies of the songs are often alike, and they tend to run into each other. It is difficult to tell one song from the other in some spots.

There should be a new cd coming from LaRue soon, and I'm excited about it. I am guessing that it will show a lot of growth from them.

This is a touching CD and well worth buying. The lyrics are wonderful. I would recommend this CD to anybody; not just Christians. Their voices are fantastic and the songs are sung with so much clarity. I have never listened to Christian music before, but I never take this CD out of my CD player. Being someone who used to go to school with Phil, it is nice to see that such a caring person with a beautiful personality made it in the world. Good job.

If you enjoy contemporary Christian music you'll really like this CD. I bought it because of 'Waiting Room', but found that the whole CD is just as good, every song. Haven't had an album like that since Green Day's 'Dookie' or Smashing Pumpkins' 'Siamese Dream'. This is a very talented band, and the female LaRue's voice is amazing. I recommend buying it.

I was a promoter of Christian Concerts in six states from 2000-2006. I have worked with 230 plus different artists. Very few artists I have worked with have made the impact on me as Philip and Natalie LaRue. The last I saw them was over 3 years ago, but these two have a passion for Jesus Christ that is so genuine. Their vocals blend so beautifully that it instantly touches most listeners. Transparent and Reaching are my favorite CD's but it does not matter which one you listen to. Their music makes you want to simply turn off all distractions and just listen. It is timeless. I got to spend the day with Philip and Natalie during a performace scheduled at Reardon Auditorium in Anderson, IN. The day started out with an interview with Eli and LaRue on 98.7FM to a concert that night with LaRue, Jon McLaughlin, Eli and Downhere. It was not a tour. Just a night where all four artists were traveling through town. It turned out to be one of the most spectacular concerts I have ever coordinated. All hands seem to be lifted high when all four groups closed the night singing together the song 'God of Wonders'. I took photos of the night and as I photographed during that last song, I felt as if I was in slow motion, in a room of 600 students and I was the only person in the room with my eyes open. It moved me. Thank you for the memory Philip and Natalie. Amazonians ... If you have not listened to Philip and Natalie, give it a try. I recommend the two mentioned earlier, but they are all good. I came across a my space sight where Philip LaRue has now started a solo career. I hope one day he comes on tour back through Indiana. It may not have Natalie singing and dancing in her bare feet, but I know it would be good.

I'VE LISTENED TO A LOT OF CHRISTIAN'S CD'S & THIS ONE GOT REALLY MY ATTENTION / YES, THEIR VOICES MATCH TOGETHER, I CAN SAY ALL OF THE SONGS HELP ME TO GO CLOSER TO JESUS, I LOVE JESUS AND I'M HAPPY TO KNOW THAT GOD'S WORD STILL IN THIS PLANET ! I'D LIKE TO HAVE MORE INFOS IF THEY PLANNED TO COME ON TOUR IN CANADA ?
EXCUSE MY WRITING IN ENGLISH / I'M A FRENCH CANADIAN & MAYBE THE MEANING OF MY WORDS DON'T GO WITH MY WRITING !!

THANKS TO YOU

A JESUS FAN

These two musicians have wonderful voices and uplifting songs. They are truely blessed by God for what they do

I first saw Phillip And Natalie At a concert at a college I was amazed at there voices and how they where so nice I got to talk to there dad and he was nice And it was a really good Cd I am glad they write there own stuff And i was depressed but some thing in there music touched me and some friends who are christens prayed with me and i became a child of christ so thank you you saved my soul I just am so happy now because of god i have been in his love so thank you

This cd is a must buy. I don't buy loads of cd's but this one is a definite must for everyone. The songs will challenge you but the music is simply awesome. The voices are unbelievable they really are. If you buy this CD you won't regret it and you won't be able to turn it off!