TWO FOR ONE- A MAZE OF GRACE + IN A DIFF

A Maze of Grace At first glimpse, Avalon may seem like one more nice-boy-nice-girl quartet who looks angelic and sings with a similar sanctity. And hey, that's what they are. But what makes A Maze of Grace different is the underlying streetwise pop edge that pervades this 1997 release, which yielded three top contemporary Christian music singles. The opening 'Testify to Love' is a great track that features solid harmonies, trademark guitar power chords, and a rock-solid backbeat. 'Knockin' on Heaven's Door' contains an irresistible urgency, as does 'Speed of Light,' yet the group can slow it down masterfully, as with the ballad 'Adonai.' Comparisons to First Call are merited here and much credit should go to producer Charlie Peacock, who makes Avalon's second release something more than the usual fare. In A Different Light 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. Contents / Track Listing A Maze Of Grace: 01. Testify To Love 02. A World Away 03. Maze Of Grace, A (A Maze Of Grace Album Version) 04. Knockin' On Heaven's Door 05. Adonai 06. Speed Of Light 07. Move, The (A Maze Of Grace Album Version) 08. Reason Enough 09. Forgive And Forget (A Maze Of Grace Album Version) 10. Dreams I Dream For You (A Maze Of Grace Album Version) In A Different Light: 01. Take You At Your Word 02. In Not Of 03. In A Different Light 04. Can't Live A Day 05. Always Have, Always Will 06. I'm Speechless Aka Speechless 07. If My People Pray (In A Different Light Album Version) 08. Only For The Weak 09. Let Your Love 10. Hide My Soul 11. First Love