Review by Mike Richeson This album earned an F (not even a high F where you could say it almost passed, but a really low F).

Back to Table of Contents | Back to Main Index Previous Reviews | Send mail to The Voice McBrayer tacks boy-band sound on solo album McBrayer's new compact disk is a good buy for those who like boy-band sound. -Dean Freeman, photo Jody McBrayer's new album, "This Is Who I Am," is his first attempt at a solo album. A member of hit group Avalon, McBrayer stepped out on his own to bring us his response to life's events, especially his father's death. McBrayer co-wrote almost every song and made an album that is nothing short of awful. The first song, which is also the title track, is a blatant Michael Jackson rip-off, and it's not even a good one. The rest of the album is hard to describe, mostly because it's hard to listen to. If you can picture N'SYNC writing shallow Christian lyrics and recording them on a cheap Casio keyboard, you've got a pretty good idea of what you will hear. Have you ever seen those Far Side cartoons where Mozart's version of hell involves constantly listening to bad banjo recitals? They gain new significance with this album. McBrayer attempted to bring his Spanish heritage into a couple of songs, most prominently on "Nunca Solo." Unfortunately, he comes across as a weepy Enrique Iglesias and traps himself into the typical Latin Pop formula. The most disappointing aspect of this project is that it could have been decent. Musically, the songs came close more than once. For instance, some great guitar lines end up being drowned out by countless layers of breathy backup vocals and orchestra fills. The rhythm in "Take a Step" gave it promise, but the track is immediately steered into the boy-band wasteland of music. The producers did not manage to put together even one good song. This record never should have gone past the demo stage. Obviously, sales were resting on the recognition of McBrayer as an Avalon member rather than on quality songs. This album earned an F (not even a high F where you could say it almost passed, but a really low F). Parents of 12-year-old daughters might consider this album a good alternative to the secular boy bands, but no one else should buy this CD. Back to Table of Contents | Back to Main Index Previous Reviews | Top Of Page Send mail to The Voice| Journalism department website © 2002 The Voice. No part of this publication may be reproduced in written or electronic form without prior written consent from the journalism adviser of Multnomah Bible College. All rights reserved.