EFY 2004 - Stand in the light by Michael Webb

TRACK 1
Both sides of The Debate That May Never End now have new evidence to support their claims. The question arousing so much discussion in Mormon bookstores from coast to coast is a familiar one: Does LDS music finally sound contemporary?

The obvious answer after listening to "Stand in the Light - EFY 2004" is "yes," but a proper assessment of current LDS music offerings needs further review. As far as inspirational LDS music has come in production and songwriting quality in the last 10 years, we still have to ask if it has been far enough. If this is the best of the best (it doesn't see too far-fetched to suggest that Tyler Castleton and Staci Peters represent the most polished stand-outs in the LDS songwriting community), is it enough to compel youth to fork out $18.99 a pop?

Interestingly, one look at Tyler's name in the credits quickly polarizes listeners. He has drawn legions of fans to his crystal-pop sound, but not everyone goes for it. The popularity of the Halestorm movie soundtracks is ample evidence; they are favorites among alternative music lovers. The head of CES Youth and Family Programs once said that producing an EFY album is a nearly impossible task because of the daunting threat of trying to please tens of thousands of youth who have very different musical tastes. Stake dance deejays have the same challenge, but at least they can spin tunes for three hours.

EFY collections have always been more difficult to review because of their sentimental ties. Youth save up their summer cash to spend a week feeling the spirit and meeting life-long friends. The music is one of the few tokens they can keep to evoke those memories year after year. I'd be hard pressed to comply if you asked me to objectively evaluate EFY collections from the years I attended - Sharing the Light, Return With Honor, Living the Legacy, et al. They're classics to me, but similar-sounding collections from later years barely register on my radar.

Regardless, it's fairly easy to say that this album is closing the gap between the sounds of contemporary LDS music and pop music in general. I happened to listen to the 2004 Grammy Nominee CD this afternoon, and a handful of tracks on "Stand In the Light" sound very similar to what's on the "secular" airwaves today.

It's nice to hear some new voices, even if there's a good indication that at least two of them are directly related. Mindy and Dustin Gledhill take turns singing two of the more reserved piano ballads, "Child of Light" and "One Voice." Michael Webb takes lead vocals on the title track, a sing-along with smooth synth beats. "His Love" by Jake Rau is barely distinguishable from a host of acoustic guitar ballads of years gone by. It is equal parts Doug Walker and John McVey.

April Messervy picks up the pace in the shockingly-pleasant-but-hardly-creatively-named "The Light." It's peppy and filled with hooks, making it difficult to ignore as a highlight of the album. Webb's second number, "I Was Made," slows the pace back down to ensure that the album remains appropriate for Sabbath listening. Relative newcomer Rachel Thibodeau shares another touching piano ballad in "Here to Be." Katherine Nelson shows why her voice is synonymous with the word "hymn" in her rendition of "Abide With Me, 'Tis Eventide." Jericho Road takes the baton from Messervy in the danceable "See the Light."

It's a treat to hear veteran Hilary Weeks lend her passionate vocals to "Follow the Light," a Savior-centered ode co-written by Don Stirling and Sam Cardon. Jericho Road-ite Dave Kimball goes solo on "Calling You," which sounds remarkably like Michael W. Smith's warm ballads from the early 90's. Jenny Frogley concludes with the poignant anthem "These Are the Days."

Speaking on behalf of both the faithfully devoted and the hopelessly cynical is impossible. At times I am in both camps. I don't know how well I represent the hundreds of thousands of Saints who enjoy contemporary LDS music. I tend to feel both ways when listening to an album like this. I want to tell the producers, songwriters, performers and all others involved that they put together a solid CD that represents a snapshot of today's LDS inspirational music with some authentic gems. And I don't have the heart to follow that comment by admitting that it is starting to gather a rather copious layer of dust on my shelf.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• efymusicmormon
• EFY
• 2004
• MICHAEL
• WEBB
• STAND
• IN
• THE
• LIGHT

[milkjas]

Nunca me habia parecido, tan duro ...permanecer en la luz como ahora, pero como dijo el Elder Packer ayer, todo tiene una solucion, Gracias A Cristo!!

[eliizhitha21]

muy lindaaaaaaa =)

[elaprendiz23]

Its a beautiful song. Esta es una hermosa canción... muy inspiradora. I love it.

[markedwardable]

this is my favorite song it is so meaningful

[Surfansunshine]

BEAR RECORD FOR LIFE MANNNN! One of my favorite years. =)

[crazynet143]

I love this song!.......

[itlPoka]

aaahy que liinda cancion!!

[liznarry86]

i love this song,, i really miz my branch....

[lukecoc]

This is by far my favorite song from all of the EFY sessions I attended... Regardless of who is singing it, and their past, it is a beautiful song, well done and has lifted me up in my struggling moments!

[marielisticated]

hui