This week we have a review of an artist that is not your regular
cMusicWeb.com artist, but an inspirational acoustic singer. But, Val
Halloran is still creating relevant and moving music, as this review
of her sophmore project shows. Plus, we've got lots more coming up
from cMusicWeb.com in this week's cMusicMail.

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I HAD NO IDEA - VAL HALLORAN
by Jason Ewert

The best thing to happen to local artists in recent years is the
expansion of the internet. Low-budget indie albums can attract fans
worldwide, in many cases out-selling albums with record labels and
big money behind them. This presents a situation both dazzling and
problematic: homemade new artists don't stop coming, but most are
without the complete package of skillful music and intelligent lyrics.

Val Halloran, an indie from Florida, is an artist who offers the
complete package. Her debut, Forever and Always, proved this;
however, her sophomore effort would determine whether or not she was
truly an artist. Change was needed to prove that she was not limited
to one style. Improvement was also necessary to show that she wasn't
at a dead end musically. Questions abound, but one is more prominent
than the rest: would she deliver? The answer: yes.

A definite upgrade from Forever and Always, I Had No Idea increases
the quality of both musicianship and penmanship. The melodies are
more complex, the lyrics are more challenging, and there is a broader
range of instruments used. However, the glow of her latest effort
does not tarnish the shine of her older material. Rather, I Had No
Idea complements Val's earlier work, the result of expert producing
(Donald Johns) and arranging (Daniel Clark).

Like Joseph's coat of many colors, I Had No Idea samples a full
spectrum of styles. Piano and steel guitar offer hints of country in
the opener, "By Your Grace". The next track "Keeper of My Heart",
reminds one of adult contemporary artists Steve Green and Twila
Paris, though still distinctive in its praise. In yet another style
change, "Father" and "Never Ending Life" attempt a pop/rock
experiment that plays well. Finally, "My Hope is in You", is an
inspirational closer which has the same quality as closers written by
Steven Curtis Chapman and Nichole Nordeman. Though this combination
of styles may seem random, each song smoothly flows into the next, a
smoothness which is accomplished largely with an acoustic, folk-
sounding base to the music. All in all, a delightful blend.

Assurance of God's protection and love is the central theme of this
album. The title track expresses wonder at God's amazing plan of
salvation; "Rekindle the Fire" pleads with God to keep the fire of
salvation burning; "Where Would I Run To", proclaims unending
devotion to the only One who can save us when we're in trouble.
Though the message is often similar, the songs are never repetitive.
As each song begins, a new outlook on God's grace is presented, and
the listener discovers yet another way to thank God.

Adult contemporary artists often entertain the danger of playing on
emotions with sappy songs. Val doesn't even come close to this
minefield. Instead, she offers an uplifting and upbeat form of
inspirational music as an alternative: what an excellent and
enjoyable alternative it is.

Find out more about Indie Artist Val Halloran on cMusicWeb.com:
http://cMusicWeb.com/pop/valhalloran


AVAILABLE TUESDAY, JULY 24 (at cMusicWeb.com or at your local store)

I COULD SING OF YOUR LOVE FOREVER 2 - VARIOUS
The first was known as one of the best collections of modern worship,
but this one is just too close to the original. Many of the songs
are just different recordings of the same songs, but it is stil a
good collection. That's why it's the PICK OF THE WEEK.


THE LATEST NEWS HEADLINES
• Lauryn Hill: Educatin'
• Former Creed Bassist Forms New Band
• Squint Entertainment Folds into Word Records
• Supertones Sign With Presigious William Morris Agency
• And much more!

View all the latest stories on cMusicWeb.com:
http://cMusicWeb.com/


AVAILABLE TO PRE-ORDER (on cMusicWeb.com)

ROCK: http://cMusicWeb.com/rock
Alien Youth - Skillet [8/28]

ALTERNATIVE: http://cMusicWeb.com/alternative
Stereotype Be - Kevin Max [8/28]

POP: http://cMusicWeb.com/pop
Jump5 (self-titled) [8/14]
Have I Ever Told You - FFH [8/21]
6.1 - Out of the Grey [8/28]
Infectious - Go Fish [8/28]
Prayer of Jabez EP - Various [8/28]
Talk About It - Nicole C. Mullen [8/28]

WORSHIP: http://cMusicWeb.com/worship
Almost There - MercyMe [8/14]
Songs 4 Worship: Give You My Heart - Various [8/21]

Click on the album titles on the genre page to order them and recieve
them on the release date.


I just realized that this has been, for some reason, missing for a
while. So, here's the weekly updates:

cMUSICWEB.COM UPDATES
• New Review - Disappear - PfR
http://cMusicWeb.com/rock/pfr/reviews.shtml
• New Artist Page - Smalltown Poets
http://cMusicWeb.com/alternative/smalltownpoets
• New Artist Page - Sara Groves
http://cMusicWeb.com/pop/saragroves
• New Review - The Big Surprise - The Elms
http://cMusicWeb.com/rock/theelms/reviews.shtml
• New Artist Page - John DeGrazio
http://cMusicWeb.com/pop/johndegrazio
• New Film Section - The Star Wars Trilogy
http://cMusicWeb.com/filmtv/starwars


If you're in the Dallas area or would like to check out more about
the people behind cMusicWeb.com, look up an article about us in the
August 4th Edition of the paper, or online at DallasNews.com. Find
us in the "Religion" section. And keep a look out for more HUGE
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Thanks for reading this week's cMusicMail, and we'll be back next
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a different approach to music
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