When Deep Calls to Deep
Artist: Paul Oakley
Label: Survivor Records/Kingsway (UK)
Length: 11 tracks/54:55
For this, his second album, Paul Oakley has diversified somewhat
from his britpop/mod-rock influenced debut. There are touches of the Verve
thrown in, and the sound is slightly more spacious. Oakley's vocals are
husky in a way reminiscent of many a rock singer, but like the songs, they
unfortunately don't shine. Many aspects of the human experience are touched
on within the lyrics of these worship songs, but to these ears there is
nothing particularly insightful. The arrangements may be more open, but
that space has not been used to best effect, and the whole album washes
over me, leaving little behind in its wake. In as crowded a marketplace
as the contemporary worship scene is becoming, that is disappointing.
By James Stewart (09/16/98)
