ntsai's Full Review: A Maze of Grace by Avalon (Christian)
Avalon has always been big in the Christian Music Industry since their signing to Sparrow Records. Since then, they've released 8 albums, all with their strengths and weaknesses. However, they've had weak points in their career, especially recently with Michael and Cherie, two key members of the singing pop group, gone. Their most recent CD, Creed, was slightly weaker than their usual stuff, but still ok.
Nevertheless, A Maze of Grace is their most powerful album ever. Absolutely touching, quite a few dance tracks with some very beautiful inspirational tracks.
Testify To Love
All the colors of the rainbow
All of voices of the wind
Every dream that reaches out
That reaches out to find where love begins
The opening track comes in at a relatively long 4:40. This softer song, led by Michael Passons, has some background guitar and a few drums, but is mainly powered by Avalon's amazing vocals. This song is a song of thankfulness, with Michael singing "For As Long As I Shall Live I Shall Testify To Love," quite a few times. Janna and Nikki also sing background vocals very well during the choruses and bridge. Probably Avalon's most famous song, this is also one of their best.
A World Away
After a soft track, Avalon gets into the dance feeling with a more upbeat song. Starting off with a fast drum roll/paradiddle, the song quickly jumps into one with lots of mixing and a single electric guitar (or is it keyboard?). Both Janna and Nikki sing very well on this track, and the background vocals are also spectacular. During the bridge, the song sounds like a softer version of a regular gospel song, with some "ooooh-oooh-ooooh"s from the members of Avalon. This happier track talks about how relationships have changed, and moving forward with God is the only way to go.
A Maze of Grace
I run
I fall
I walk
I sometimes crawl
I give
I take
I bend and yet somehow I break
Avalon gets into their more sober mood once again with their title track, one of the most elaborate songs filled with lots of imagery. Michael's softer vocals fit in perfectly with the sad mood of the song. The background vocals are numerous yet not hindering in any way, softly harmonizing during the chorus. The lyrics discuss about how we're being guided everyday, and what we do has a greater purpose even though we cannot see it. One of Avalon's best tracks as well.
Knockin' On Heaven's Door
I'm not a poet
No, it's not like me to speak in flowery words
Not a prophet
Not at least in these parts
That would be unheard of
Again, Avalon's mood of each song seems to alternate, switching back to the oh-so-happy dance track with some cool mixing. The chorus is slightly repetitive, but Nikki's "nanananana" during the chorus is amazing addictive and very fitting onto this track, while Janna's very powerful vocals strengthen the song at intervals during the song. The bridge also enhances the song with a more "coolio" feel with the bass still going in the back. The lyrics are talking about the group waiting impatiently for their entry into heaven.
Adonai
One single drop of rain
Your salty tear became blue ocean
One tiny grain of sand turning in your hand
A world in motion
The next track, which has a few strings at the intro and is played using a piano, reverts back to a ballad track. Nikki and Janna sing this one beautifully, taking their turns at being the lead vocalist for this absolute stunner. Tracks like these are what Avalon does best: Soft songs with strong female-led vocals. This song of praise absolute shatters the feeling for this album, breaking open everything. Although there have been two great tracks in the first four songs, this fifth one really sets everything.
Speed of Light
Break away, leave the cold night
Steal away, from the shadows
Break away, leave the old life
Dance away from the dark
And again (see the pattern?), Avalon goes back to that funky dance style that they oh-so enjoy doing. The vocals, led by Jody (and background by both girls, who are harmonizing), are a bit weak at the chorus, though it's not really his fault (I just don't like the lyrics at the chorus). The drums in this track are a lot different from any track previous, having a quick, set beat that Avalon usually does not take on. This dance song talks about the fact that we only need God in our life, and that's the only thing that matters.
The Move
Spirit's fire
Raining Down
In a dry and barren land new life is found
Avalon breaks the trend by going with two dance tracks in a row, but this one is filled with keyboards with heavy mixing during production. The girls share vocals on this one, going for a more techno-eee feel and a snare drum beat with a bit of other percussion. At times, it feels like a gospel song sung by one of the many female groups. The song takes a short break in the bridge to calm down, seeming to change in a ballad, before returning the the dance type song. However, the song still seems powered by the vocals, with everything else being secondary in the feel.
Reason Enough
There's a mercy so much stronger
Than the weaknesses in me
And there are glimpses of You power
That make it easy to believe
Avalon returns to the softer female-led type song with "Reason Enough", which has a piano melody accompanied by a bass for parts of the verse and is filled with mixing, quite surprising for a soft song like this. At times, this feels like "A Whole New World" (I think that's what it is called) from the Aladdin Movie (Mind Blank: Can't think of the real artist). Janna's strong vocals once again improve the song during the chorus, which requires a powerful presence. Once again, Avalon goes with more of a Praise song feel on this one, and it works out just fine.
Forgive And Forget
His Broken record plays 'round and 'round inside my head
He'd keep my own two eyes
Focused on pitful me
This dance song is absolutely FILLED with mixing and drum beats. All four members sing together on the chorus, creating a wholly feel. The song is full of "na-na-na"s from the girls after the chorus, which spices up the song a bit. This song seems slightly weaker than the rest of the songs, the lyrics being dull and the music being sort of awkward at times.
Dreams I Dream For You
You see your shame
But I see your glory
You've read one page
I know the story
The finale is another ballad-type song, although you can feel the dance influences throughout, especially because of the drum beat and slight mixing. Nevertheless, the piano continues on in this soft song. Michael and Janna duet in the first verse of this song, which creates a beautiful atmosphere. While Janna sings the chorus, the rest of the group is behind her, singing a background melody and some "na na"s. The lyrics are astounding, talking about how God has a dream for us, and we have to live it through by following him.
Although not perfect, A Maze Of Grace is the strongest and most consistent of any Avalon album ever made. Janna shows off her absolutely amazing singing talent, while Michael is album to perform his sparkling sessions. Filled with soft songs mixed with some dance tracks, this album is a definite YES for any Avalon fan. And for people who haven't heard of the artist, this is the album you definitely want to start off with.
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