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Stephen Sebastian looks like one of my friends from high school, who coincidentally is an atheist. Is Stephen Sebastian also an atheist?... I decided to listen to his new CD and find out.

The song opens up with the song "Rocky Run," which prompted me to write down "Mr. Rogers? PFR?" If you could perhaps imagine Mr. Rogers in PFR, then that, my friends, is what this song sounds like. No really, imagine it.

The music on this album is very creative, but something is not quite right. Perhaps it is the fact that a lot of the songs are in a minor key, but then have a second chorus that sounds like you're happy to be at the zoo on your birthday. Cutting the second choruses would help, as would pressing 'stop' on your CD Player when the second chorus comes up.

Wait...I know what's wrong with this album...the vocals! There were three exceptions, the songs "Dead," "Answer," and "Gone," the last of which is actually a perfect song. But exceptions aside, the vocals need a lot of work.

What exactly is this vocals problem? Perfect enunciation, worthy of a Kidz Bop (tm) CD. Enunciation is a good thing in school, in public speaking, etc. But here are a few examples of enunciation becoming a bad thing:

WHEN ENUNCIATION GOES WRONG:

1. The song "After All" begins with "the times are a-changin" enunciated PERFECTLY. 
2. The song "Why" sounds like an early '90s alternative rock song...except that you can understand what he's saying really well, and there's no mystery to it.
3. "Andy James" is another Bob Dylan-influenced song. It begins with harmonica. It is a folk song, that sounds like it should almost be narrated. It isn't.
4. "Faith." The introduction to this song prompted me to write down: "Oh No! An attempt at a blues song with the same vocals!"

In conclusion, is Stephen Sebastian an atheist? Not really. Is his music good? Yes. Do his vocals match his music in any way, shape, or form? No, except the song "Gone," which is perfect, but unfortunately the last song on the CD.

Freddie Odom 3/19/05