Reviewed by Simon Eden

In 2005 the biggest gospel record label in the US, Verity, partnered with Gospel Dream, an American Christian version of the TV show American Idol. Brian Smith was the winner and consequently won a recording contract with Zomba Gospel. 'Love Letter' is the first fruit of that contract, and a surprisingly disappointing one at that. Zomba's artists include Kirk Franklin, J Moss, Tonex, Fred Hammond, Byron Cage amongst many other top names. So when Brian Smith turned up it sounds like Zomba didn't know what to do with him. Brian got to work with Steve Huff, a renowned hip-hop/urban producer, but it sounds like the co-producer Jeremy Redmond of Big Daddy Weave had the main influence on the sound. The result is a bland Americana country-esque pop rock compilation of ballads. The vocals are nowhere nearly as powerful as Brian's stature indicates, and far smoother than contemporaries like Mac Powell of Third Day, even reminiscent of Daniel O'Donnell. His vocal style seems better suited to a soulful love song, but has been forced to fit to ballad rock. Brian co-wrote seven of the 11 tracks on the album, but all lack any vibrancy that indicates the "X factor" that led to his win. The nature of the TV programme and the record label will guarantee some commercial success, but it may not be sustained.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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