Next Step
KOTCH Records
Release Date: March 3, 2009

Melissa Greene - Next Step

Track Listing

1.  Next Step
2.  Imagine
3.  Wonder
4.  Long Road To Forgiveness
5.  Army
6.  Too Far
7.  You Satisfy
8.  Revelation Song
9.  To Trust You (Jody’s Song)
10.  At Your Feet

Score: 75%/C

Avalon fans will have a new album to sink their teeth into as Melissa Greene releases her new solo album, Next Step.  Right out of the gate the album starts off stylistically with a Christina Aguilera sounding track: “Next Step” (the title track for the album).  The music was a bit too familiar for me and I have to say, I was particularly disappointed with the direction of the song after having read the lyrics beforehand.  In my opinion, the lyrics are powerful even if the execution was not.

The next track, “Imagine” seems to fit Melissa Greene stylistically a bit better.  It’s a successful upbeat, pop-rock song suitable for radio(this time more Martina McBride than Christina Aguilera).  “Imagine” transitions pleasantly into a ballad named, “Wonder”.  With a solid rhythm and straightforward lyrics, the song offers a message that is clear and worshipful.  Where previously I couldn’t help but make comparisons, “Wonder” seemed to offer a glimpse of authentic Melissa – it really felt like her heart was in it. “Long Road to Forgiveness” is up next and continues to slow down the pace.  This song boasts a truly solid vocal with a great melody.  After track four though, the album takes a sharp and disappointing detour, in my opinion, with some over-sung, overly dramatic vocals and more stylistic confusion.  It then picks back up again with a solid cover of the popular Praise and Worship song, “Revelation Song”.  Melissa truly demonstrates her
pipes on this one and does the song justice by not over singing it.  A clever addition of pianos and club effects at the beginning of the song and an upbeat pace help to make the song a real standout on the album.

Overall, after having listened to the album for more than three weeks(longer than most albums I review), I felt that there were four memorable songs that would appeal to a general audience.  The others though, I fear, may only be suitable for avid Avalon fans (who will undoubtedly see past much more than I was able to).

Closing Thoughts:
Though I enjoy good contemporary Christian albums, I candidly had a hard time catching the vibe on Next Step.  I think it’s because I kept getting thrown off with some of the theatrical vocals and the changing musical styles throughout the album.  The songs, “Imagine”, “Wonder”, “Long Road to Forgiveness” and “Revelation Song” are worth downloading individually, but unless you’re an avid Avalon or Melissa Greene fan, I’m not sure you’ll want to purchase the entire album.

For more on Melissa Greene and to see the full review, visit: http://www.christianmusicreview.org/melissagreene_nextstep.html