FamilyFans Music

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Without Condition

Ginny Owens

Rocketown Records

When I first put in the debut CD from new Rocketown artist, Ginny Owens, I have to admit my thoughts went something like this:

“Uh-oh. It’s another cookie-cutter, Lilith-Fair-style artist in love with human angst and alternative music, and content to be only a slightly more Christian version of Alanis Morissette or Cheryl Crow.”

In fact, after three songs of Without Condition, I was tempted to skip to the next CD and forget all about it. Thankfully, I listened to the rest of the album. That was enough to make me realize my first impression had quite possibly shortchanged a promising young artist.

In spite of the obvious Morrissette/Crow similarities, there are several memorable cuts included on this CD. For instance, “Free” is a bright and singable tune that revels in the freedom Christ gives. Starting with the sound of a car speeding off and then mixing in an almost hip-hop beat with light guitar accents, this hooky tune is both relaxing and fun.

The bluesy, gritty “Symbol of a Lost Cause” also deserves to be noticed. This rough-edged gem explores why Christians so often dedicate their lives to causes (and people) others quickly give up on. Additional highlights are and the piano-driven “Someone Searching”—a tune that’s eerily reminiscent of Cyndi Lauper’s 80s ballad, “Time After Time”—and the worshipful paraphrase of 1 Corinthians 13, “I Am Nothing.”

So go ahead and listen to this one all the way through to the end. Like me, you might find there’s more there than you think.

--Mike Nappa

FAMILYFANS RATING: B

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