Not many artists can claim on being unique these days. However, Paul Wright
has something going for him with his fusion of acoustic pop with a bit of
hip-hop thrown in. Check out his review below. And this week finds the
beginning of a new series called Meanderings, an in-depth look at what the
Lord of the Rings has to do with the Christian life.

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MEANDERINGS by josh m. shepherd
Did you like the movies directed by Peter Jackson? Or are you somebody who
read the books and likes them more? No matter how much of a Lord of the
Rings fan you are, don't miss Meanderings, an detailed look inside the
fiction of J.R.R. Tolkien and faith it is based upon.

This week we look at the prequel to the Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, and
what the first adventure of a hobbit tells us. Read it at cMusicWeb.com:
http://cMusicWeb.com/features/meanderings


FLY AWAY - PAUL WRIGHT (2003)
by Becca Tuttle

In a market where originality is rare, Paul Wright's unique sound is a
refreshing approach to Christian music. A medley of musical styles makes his
debut Fly Away almost impossible to limit to one genre, and it's this
creativity that produces such an enjoyable CD. Wright's music has elements
of John Mayer's acoustic guitar and Jason Mraz's folksy spunk, with a little
of his own freestyle rap thrown in to stir things up. Or, as he would say "I
represent folk meets hip-hop, make it modern rock, gonna make it sound hot."

Acoustic guitar is the heart of the CD and a variety of different sounds
stem from this foundation. The single "Your Love Never Changes" layers
vocals and rap echoes with a progressive beat, creating a catchy song that's
managed to gain playtime on Christian radio stations. The smooth style of
the title track "Fly Away" is reminiscent of jazz, but touches of hip-hop
keep it exciting and unexpected. "Crashing Down" has a distinct reggae
flavor, courtesy of artists Ohmega Watts and MG! the Visionary. "West Coast
Kid" offers a cute summary of Wright's musical career, cleverly contrasted
against that of fellow rapper and "east coast kid" Toby Mac. A subtle
harmonica lends a country feel to this rap, inducing a sense of the
Tennessee town that houses Toby's company, Gotee Records.

Unfortunately, meaningful lyrics are not one of Wright's strong points, and
weak wording undermines the strong musical potential of several songs. This
is especially true in Wright's slower songs, where a deeper level of meaning
is needed but is not often found. "Life After Death" provides an interesting
idea and melody, but its lack of lyrical depth causes the track to fall
short. Uninspired lyrics combined with a simplistic tune also make the slow
song, "Wonderful Creator," a little too cliché. Worst are the shallow lyrics
of "Who Is This Woman," which have no apparent connection to the rest of the
CD.

Paul Wright is all about having a good time, and this value is reflected in
the upbeat, carefree quality of his music. Following in the energetic vein
of Relient K, Wright proves once again that Christian music can be fun and
entertaining. And like Relient K, Wright's songs do not deal with purely
Christian subjects. In fact, many songs have no Christian link at all,
focusing instead on Wright's laid-back life or on the beach and party themes
that are infused into the CD. One such song is dedicated entirely to his
favorite pair of flip-flops—a light-hearted, silly song with a charm all its
own.

This isn't to say that Fly Away doesn't have its serious moments. "You're
Beautiful" makes a statement about God's role in the purpose of a
Christian's life while "Mommy, Where's Daddy?" gives a moving account of
divorce from a child's point of view. However, the juxtaposition of these
more meaningful songs with the rest of the album creates a confusing CD that
lacks unity. Wright's triumph is when he is able to combine weightier topics
with his flair for energy. "Brighter" synthesizes Christian ideas with
Wright's underlying party theme, creating one of the CD's best songs.

While Fly Away has room for improvement, it's a notable debut that any pop
fan with a sense of humor will enjoy. Play Fly Away at the beach or a
barbeque, or pop it in your car stereo on a lazy morning cruise. If you're
anything like me you may find yourself passing by your destination to finish
your favorite song.

Read more about Paul Wright at cMusicWeb.com:
http://cMusicWeb.com/pop/paulwright


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