In a Different Light

Avalon

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 23, 1999)
• Original Release Date: March 23, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sparrow
• ASIN: B00000I92L
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (93 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #72,719 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
With "Testify to Love," the longest running No. 1 Christian single of the 1990s and 1999's Dove Award-winner for Pop Song of the Year, A Maze of Grace hardly falls to the wayside with the release of In a Different Light. Yet even with Nikki Hassman's departure and the subsequent addition of Cherie Paliotta, Avalon has another monster hit. In a Different Light raises the bar on harmonics, resulting in a dense, rich sound that retains its slick pop veneer. The quartet has found a vocal balance that showcases individual differences without compromising the quality and consistency of the whole. "Let Your Love" gets funky and electronic with a pulsating dance beat beneath the upbeat anthemic melody; "Can't Live a Day" is a diva-style ballad; "I'm Speechless" is an octane-powered pop tune; and the title cut is an unadulterated smash featuring Avalon's signature tight group harmony on the refrain. --Paige La Grone

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars my favorite Avalon release -- it lives in my CD changer!, March 24, 1999

By A Customer

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.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Most spirtually mature with the best music Avalon CD yet!, April 6, 1999

By A Customer

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."

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Songs of grace and love., September 28, 2002

By	M Viljoen "murvil2611" (CAPE Town. Mother city of the Rep. of South Africa.) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.