Phil Stacey
Artist: : Phil Stacey
Label: Lyric Street Records
URL: http://www.philstacey.com/
Times: 43:52

I love this album. (And please don't take me as just another Idol worshipper.) I didn't love it at first. I liked it. But Phil Stacey's solo debut is one that will grow on you.

Top Ten finalist on Season Six of American Idol Phil Stacey faces the real world with his self-titled debut on Lyric Street Records. Sure, I watched _Idol_ and thought Stacey was one of the more sincere performers with an above-average voice. Surrounded by a who's who of studio musicians like George Kennedy, Chris McHugh Jimmie Lee Sloas, Phil Madeira and Dan Dugmore and A-list songwriters such as Gary Levox of Rascal Flatts and Jon Waller, producer Wayne Kirkpatrick has a created a top notch Country Christian album that is so shiny, tight and engaging that you almost don't notice how good it is.

Lead single "If You Didn't Love Me" (written by Gary LaVox) is perfect for today's country charts--number eight as I write. A heart-on-my-sleeve,"without you where would I be" fight song that features Wayne Kirkpatrick's multi-octave BGVs, a Cajun-y fiddle from Stuart Duncan (a highlight throughout the album) and a slowed down "If I Could Turn Back Time" intro riff, Stacey's vocal is sincere and believable. Ahh, Stacey's vocals. Throughout the album, they are emotion fueled, spot on, and loaded with compassion.

Opener "It's Who You Know" sets the tone here. Pretty catchy all the way around, it sports a great intro riff, nice harmonies, and contagious chorus. "Looking Like Love," "Round Here" both with Gordon Kennedy's superlative lead guitar breaks, continue the all-around clean sound. "Find You," "You Were Mine," and "What I am fighting for" are superlative love songs, each with its own special lyrical twist.

Maybe the best song, "Still Going Through," rises above lyrically and offers Stacey's most effective vocal. A song about feelings rekindled by a call from an old relationship, Stacey captures the hurt and confusion in spades.

Things are closed out with John Waller's "Identity." Pumping bass and an anthemic chorus lets you know where Stacey stands with the Lord. "I'm in You / I know who "in" are / You're my true born identity / And I am not the one I used to be / Cuz now there is not separating You from who I am / Anything less is not us."

No, Phil Stacey won't knock you out immediately, but the more you listen, the closer it gets. You will become more than a listener. You will become a friend of Phil Stacey.

Bob Felberg  June 2, 2008