Into the Light
Artist: Phil Stacey
Label: Reunion Records
Length: 11/44:33

Phil Stacey, for better or worse, will probably always be best known for his top five finish on season six of American Idol.  Like Mandisa, George Huff, and Melinda Doolittle, Stacey tried different styles of music before settling in the CCM world.  Stacey has the pedigree-- he has been a music minister, sang in Bible college groups, and grew up a fan of Rich Mullins and Bloodgood, among others.

Into the Light seems most accessible to mainstream CCM fans, although it would come across much more loudly in a live setting.  “Inside Out” reveals more range than his previous album, a light rock radio friendly song.  “It’s Gotta Be Love” falls sonically into the gap between Rich Mullins and Chris Sligh.  “Sanctuary” is a higher vocal, with a song structure that recalls Richard Page (Mr. Mister).

“One” is not a U2 cover, but “Hard to Get” is, a tune that appeared on Rich Mullins’ last album.  I could be wrong, but it seems “Some Kind of Love” stretches Stacey a little too far I hear AutoTunne.

“Old Glory” is the type of patriotic anthem that will resonate with middle America.  Given Stacey’s ministry and military background, it seems like a natural fit.  Ironically, this song sounds more like Rich Mullins than “Hard to Get.”  Into the Light, as a whole, is the same type of middle of the road CCM that has filled our airwaves for thirty years.  While pleasant enough, there just isn’t that much here to distinguish it from twenty other albums.

Brian A. Smith
2 January 2010