If ever a
contemporary Christian
singer stands to inherit the throne of
Amy Grant
for this generation, it's the silky-voiced
Erin O'Donnell
-- who delivers with equal conviction and emotional power on modern
rock
-influenced gems like
"There You Are"
and
ballads
like
"Hold on to Jesus."
This latter tune is a beautiful dedication to her daughter
Quinn
that tells her the secret of a successful spiritual life in the midst of the harsh realities she'll grow up to face. It's very much a family affair all around, with
O'Donnell
voicing the memorable lyrics and instantly catchy melodies penned by husband
Brad O'Donnell
. The overriding message is one of hope...God's redemption of our
"Damaged Goods,"
knowing that
"Your Love Will Get Me There,"
and the blessed assurance that
"There Is No Fear in Love."
Producer
Glenn Rosenstein
seems to enjoy putting her in the context of crunchy guitars and big sonic ideas, which sometimes threaten to overshadow the singer (his occasional use of the Hammond B-3 adds an irresistibly welcome
bluesy
touch). But her voice shines through. It would be exciting to see more secular audiences come to appreciate her. ~ Jonathan Widran