It's been all of 10 months since Karen Peck & New River released their latest recording - the critically-acclaimed Ephesians One. That album spawned off New River's fifth consecutive #1 hit with "I Want to Thank You" and helped to solidify New River as one of the premier trios in this industry (as if they weren't close to it in the first place).
The group is returning with No Worries - another album that is chock full of radio-friendly country tunes and tug-at-your-heart ballads. Through the last couple of years, Karen and gang have been molding their own sound that is unique to the trio. It's been a mixture of progressive uptempo numbers, rockin' Southern blues, and a little traditional country. No Worries helps define that sound even more. Teaming up with Mark Fain, the trio has once again created a highly enjoyable album and what is probably their most eclectic to date.
The album kicks off with a cover of their own hit song "Bend In the River." This updated version has been given a facelift and features a ragtime band ripe with New Orleans jazz. "Why Can't All God's Children Get Along" is a bluesy number sure to do well at radio and also features the vocal talents of Jeff & Sheri Easter, Sisters, the YMCA Intercity Choir, and Stephen Hill (who coincidently wrote the song).
"While I Still Can" is a tender ballad from the growing-more-popular-by-the-minute Devin McGlamery that speaks of spending quality family time with his daughters while he still can. This kind of inspirational country is a sound that is becoming more predominant in Southern circles, and New River does a great job on this song.
The one two punch of "Why Should I Worry" with the cover of the Johnny Nash classic "I Can See Clearly" is a nice coupling of lyrical topics, but the juxtaposition of musical styles keeps things interesting. Their version of "I Can See Clearly" has a nice country/island vibe that the likes of Kenny Chesney has been known to cut. The group also channels country superstar Keith Urban with "Ready for the Ride" (penned by Tony Wood, Jim Brady, Belinda Smith & Barry Weeks) - a sure hit single that features Devin McGlamery at one of his best vocal performances to date. Susan Jackson also gives a great vocal performance on the charming "In the Meantime" (written by Marcia Henry and Barbara Huffman). The album closes with the Devin/Karen duet "The Hour I First Believed" which recalls the likes of an Avalon or Selah ballad, and the two turn out some amazing vocal acrobatics on this song.
No Worries is another home-run for the trio. They've really managed to find that niche sound that they've needed for so long. And even with it being that good of a recording - this reviewer is a bit saddened that the group didn't sit on their last release long enough to claim a few more #1s off of the album. However, if they keep releasing quality recordings like this - that's only a minor complaint. No Worries is definitely a highlight release for this year.
Author: Chris D. Unthank
| Author's Website: http://southernspin.com
Written: 10/02/2009
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Category: CD Reviews
Comments: 0
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