Most of you probably do not remember the name Kendall Payne: Her CD appeared
in the mainstream market in 1999, and it was picked a year later up by a
Christian label. But the amazing songwriter did not get enough love from the
music world, and so she left the music world for a time. Luckily, she was
able to independently record a second full-length album, musing over the
last five years of her life. We seriously think you should check out this
disc, especially if you liked her first one (and even if you didn't). Also,
don't forget to take a look at the latest from Jeremy Camp too.

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GROWN - KENDALL PAYNE (2004)
by Hollie Stewart

It's been five years since this stellar, vocal powerhouse appeared on
Capitol Records. But the years have aged this artist with wisdom: the
youthful wit and sarcasm that created tunes like "Supermodels" and "Perfect
By Thursday" has settled into a steady maturity. Grown is the perfect title
for this independent recording. Kendall Payne has developed a deeper sense
of "being" and placed some of her insights into this new collection.
Instead of acquiring her identity from being Jordan's Sister, Payne has
grown into herself and her own perception.

The theme of recognizing that we can never know all there is to know about
life permeates this album. "Ups & Downs" acknowledges that place of hidden
darkness we never want to dissect through a melody reminiscent of a French
café: "Who can attest that when they're at their best / Oh their worst is
still crouching close behind? / It's coming to peace with the darkness in me
/ That allows the true light inside to shine." "The Moon," a beautiful song
of legato piano and smooth guitar solos, discusses the strength found in
times of darkness, for just as the moon sits in inky black, "she still
shines though / The night falls around her / And by her light I find my way
/ And when I fear the path laid before me / I look to the light of her face
/ And thank her for being so brave." Being able to shine through darkness
requires a learning that sometimes only passing time provides. It's then we
can realize that "We pretend when we find the end of ourselves / Afraid to
be real so we say / That we're somebody else" ("Twenty-Three"). We fear the
darkness of the unknown, so we make up an identity, when being ourselves
provides the most freedom. Payne admits, though, that "coming back to life
is harder than hell / Once you have died" ("Twenty-Three"). So Payne ends
the album with "Pray," a simple song of cello, acoustic guitar, and vocals.
Light picking accompanies hard-to-swallow prayers such as, "May you never be
sure / Of any plan you desire / But you'd learn to trust the plans / He has
for you / May your passions be tried and / Tested in the holy fire." Then
the song twists as Payne asks her friends to say these prayers for her as
well. True maturity comes when we can pray, for ourselves, "May you find
every step / To be harder than the last / So your character grows" ("Pray").

Grown does have a few songs that reflect the pop rock sounds found on
Jordan's Sister. "Superstar" has the same musical flavor as "Hollywood."
"Little Things" addresses being secure in yourself, regardless of what
others think, because God loves us the way we are (even when we make silly
noises with our mouths at the beginning of our song). "Happy" features a
country-rock beat and chronicles separation, divorce, and the desire to be
loved again. "Backwards" begins with an 80's guitar distortion played by
Jason Wade, lead singer of Lifehouse. Payne also devotes a song to Aslan,
the allegoric representation of God in C.S. Lewis' classic series The
Chronicles of Narnia, yet the sound is a bit reminiscent of "Ups & Downs."
While the music arrangements overall don't reach the rock strength of
Jordan's Sister, they're a nice diversion from the slow tempos.

"Scratch," the sobering ballad that opens Grown, serves as the thesis to the
album. Payne used to think she could "change the world with a song," but
now she wants to begin again: "I'd like to know if you'd be open / To
starting over from scratch / I'd like to know if you'd be open / To giving
me a second chance." This is a true sense of being grown. While she wishes
she were young again, she knows that "It's a big girl world now / Full of
big girl things," and she must act accordingly. Throughout Grown, we
witness a woman's desire to begin again—with God, with life, and perhaps
even with the past fans listening to her new offering. Kendall Payne
returns to the scene with lyrics that cut to the heart and music that
soothes a developing soul.

Find out more about Kendall Payne at her official site:
http://www.kendallpayne.com/


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Review: Becoming
http://cMusicWeb.com/pop/christinedente/becoming.shtml


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A CHORUS OF OBLITERATION - THE SHOWDOWN
From indie label Mono Vs. Stereo comes their first attempt in the world of
metal music. It's definitely metal, and fans of Solid State bands should
check this one out too. The good thing is there's not that much screaming
but instead lots of heavy guitar instrumentals.

EVERYTHING IS ALIVE, EVERYTHING IS BREATHING, NOTHING IS DEAD AND NOTHING IS
BLEEDING - THE CHARIOT
These guys have a good title. The only other thing they have is a whole lot
of screaming to their metal music. Too much for me.

THE NOISE INSIDE - ADAM WATTS
BEC Recording had lots of success in the new arena of poppier music with
Jeremy Camp. Adam Watts is the next logical conclusion. His music is even a
bit more poppy but does not skimp on musical genius. According to his bio,
Adam is a fairly accomplished songwriter, and this is his album full of his
own songs.

RESTORED - JEREMY CAMP
Of course, we have not forgotten how he brought The Benjamin Gate's amazing
career to a screeching halt. But we will give him the PICK OF THE WEEK. Much
like his first album, Stay, Jeremy has a number of ballads as well as
rockers such as "Lay Down My Pride". It stands as a good follow-up to his
debut.


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