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Erica and Tina Campbell have taken the self-titled route for their third album, Mary Mary. It would be easy to pigeonhole these sisters into the typical gospel category, and to be fair, the second half of this album probably is indistinguishable from most of that genre. But, oh the difference between the first and second halves of this disc!

The Campbells show a willingness to explore new styles, and reveal more versatility than previously witnessed on their first two discs. "Believer" features vocal effects that recall the theme from the movie “Fame.” "Heaven" has a Latino, almost Miami Sound Machine flavor, while "The Real Party" features a rap interlude.

"Save Me" opens like a '60's Motown tune - think The Supremes - then goes off in a bluesy direction. The standout of the entire disc though, is "The Biggest Greatest Thing," a Manhattan Transfer meets Ella Fitzgerald tune that could have been released on any album of 1930's jazz standards. This may be the best song the duo has recorded to date.

While fans will disagree, the second half of the record trails off into predictable, radio friendly, formulaic gospel arrangements that do nothing to illustrate the vocal abilities of these two ladies. I challenge anyone to listen to "Yesterday" and "Stand Still" and tell me which is which five minutes later.

When the Campbells are good, they're unbelievably good. When they surrender to the CCM machine, they're as bland as a '70's sitcom. If the first five songs are an indication of what they can truly do, Mary Mary could be on the verge of a revolution in music.

Brian A. Smith
27 July 2005