David Phelps - Revelation, CD Review

Feb

2004

David Phelps - Revelation

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Phelps isn’t as new as some think he is. He’s been with the Gaither Vocal Band for over six years now, cranking out five albums with the critically acclaimed Southern Gospel quartet, and he has released two solo albums previous to this album on Spring Hill Music Group. For fans of the Gaither Vocal Band, Revelation probably isn’t going to be your cup of tea. However, fans of his two Spring Hill albums will probably more than enjoy his latest effort. Phelps shows signs of growth as a pop artist on this album, yet not enough to convince us that he is a full-fledged pop star. His debut album (not his Christmas album) was a strong record that showcased mainly Phelps’ unmatched vocals, yet musically felt very outdated. Revelation, while still showcasing David’s amazing vocal ability, raises the bar for big balladry, yet doesn’t do anything new in the pop market. The album boasts a myriad of talented songwriters helping Phelps create a solid effort. Names such as Steve Siler, Cindy Morgan, Nee-C Walls, Dave Clark, Chris Harris, and Regie Hamm show up in the liner notes, proving that the songwriting will be top notch this time around. The album kicks off with the first single, “Arms Open Wide”, a rousing pop number that sets the tone for the rest of the record. Unfortunately, the rest of the album never really lives up to the tone of the first song. “Break Free” sees Phelps trying out R&B and jazz influenced sounds, and while his vocals come off perfect, his tone and sound doesn’t quite fit the genre. “Satisfaction” is a big misstep, with Phelps going into funk-infused pop, and just falls short of truly being a great pop song and sounds as dated as his first record. “Virtuoso” is a catchy dance influenced track, yet doesn’t set Phelps apart from likes of Jonathan Pierce or Avalon, two big voiced artists who are known for dance-flavored pop tunes. “Revelation” is the biggest mistake on the album. While I’m sure it’s a great concert number, it doesn’t quite show the emotion or attitude on CD that it needs to really pull it off. It’s a little too “rock-opera"-ish. Phelps truly shines on the big ballads, as seen in tunes like “Just As I Am”, “God Will Take Care of You” and “Heart of Hearts”. “Perdome Dios (Pardon Me God)” is the highlight of the album, mixing emotion filled lyrics with an amazingly beautiful melody line. It shows the direction that Phelps should be going as a solo artist. Forget the pop. Forget the dance. Forget the R&B. Go with your classical roots, and you could be the next Josh Groban.

Reader Comments

There's two ways to approach this CD . . .

1. You can look at all David Phelps has done in the past and approach it with a number of pre-conceived notions about what his solo projects should be.

2. You can meet this CD on its own terms.

I choose the latter option. This is a fun pop CD, like Harry Connick Jr.'s _She_. It's a departure for Phelps compared to most music he's done in the past and it's expected that some of his greatest fans may not care for it. _She_ turned off some Connick fans who preferred his crooning and big band stuff, too.

Just as _She_ was for Connick, though, _Revelation_ happens to be an extremely well crafted "fun pop CD."

I don't think it's perfect. The first four tracks were a little on the boring side musically, but even those songs were well written, had great production, and Phelps executed the vocals flawlessly.

(BTW, the song "Revelation" IS a rock opera type number, picking up where "End Of The Beginning" left off stylisitically speaking. If you liked "End of The Beginning," you'll probably like "Revelation" as well. It does stop short of being totally campy like "Bohemian Rhapsody," though, so you may not consider it a full blown rock opera number for that reason.)

If you think Phelps shouldn't be wasting his time trying out different types of classic pop music, you definitely won't care for this CD. I would agree with Chris that this CD sounds somewhat dated in terms of current pop music. That doesn't affect my rating, though. (If sounding dated affected my ratings, I'd be giving these four guys and a piano recordings low scores all the time!)

I give _Revelation_ 4 1/2 stars.

Commented by On 02/29/2004

Josh Groban could not hold David Phelps water bottle! I cannot believe that comparison! David has more control over his voice it is almost unhuman how incredible he is I think style aside..... he deserves 5 stars just out of respect for probable one of the best tenors to ever grace the stage!

Commented by On 02/29/2004

David, I agree with how to approach a CD. I didn't have any preconcieved notions with this solo effort. In fact, if I had any, David wasn't going to try and impress me, he was going to have to live up to my expectations with the names that I saw working on this CD. I'm a huge pop fan, and unfortunately, Phelps just isn't a pop singer.

I don't agree Steven. Much of why Groban is so popular is attributed to his song selection, and unfortunately, neither of Phelps' solo CDs have shown great song selection.

You can't compare Groban and Phelps vocally, because Groban is a baritone, and Phelps is a tenor. It all comes down to song selection. Phelps just didn't deliver this time around.

Commented by On 03/01/2004

I found the CD much better than his last. I found his last CD kind of boring to me, with the exception of a few songs. This CD is very good. I especially love "Revelation." The song "Arms Open Wide" got boring on me pretty quick. It has become one of my lesser favorite. I would have given the CD 4-4 1/2 stars.

David is a great talent and this CD proves that. He can do the quiet ballads, power ballads and the ultra pop stuff.

I do agree with you Chris, that "Break Free" and "Satisfaction" do absolutely NOTHING for me.

All in all, I really like this new release.

Commented by On 03/01/2004

OK, you guys got me going. I've got to go get this CD. I love David Phelps' voice, and tend to think he could sing the Phone Book, and I'd love it.

I like Josh Groban, too, but he doesn't come off as verstatile to me as David. And, of course, I love tenors. But I just really don't compare them. Let me hear Josh sing "No More Night," then I can compare them.

Catch you later, got to go get this CD.

Commented by Bob Whitehead On 03/01/2004

. . . and there are those who think the SGN review staff is in lock step on everything we write . . .

Commented by On 03/01/2004

Yeah, David, whodathunkit?

LOL!!!

:whistle:

Commented by Bob Whitehead On 03/01/2004

This is the forst time that I've seen 3 of the reviewers give a review of the same recording. I, not that it matters, LOVE this CD. I think its alot better than his last recording and I think this CD would be a great addition to the collection for any David Phelps fan.

Commented by On 03/01/2004

For those interested, my full review of this CD is posted on my website at http://www.musicscribe.com and also at http://www.christrock.com

Commented by On 03/01/2004

OK, I can't stay quiet on this one. I do not agree with the reviews of this album. I think we would all agree that David Phelps is one of the finest voices in gospel music. Chris, for you to say Revelation is a "rock opera" sorry but I disagree. And how can you say that his song selection on this and the previous solo album were not good?? Are you saying that End of the Begininng, No More Night, Someone Who Cares, Miles And Miles Away are not good songs??? And for the new album, Arms Wide Open, Revelation, Just As I Am...come on! Virtuoso may be very pop/dance but to me it IS in the category as JP and Avalon.
David Phelps has stepped out on this album, yes. But to say he doesnt show signs as a full fledge pop star...would be a bit much. When you say pop star are you saying in the secular field or on the CCM field?
No this album is not SG. It is CC. But how many voices do you know that have the ability to sing SG/CCM and pull it off, not just somewhat, but pull it off in a HUGE way.
David is heading to a class of his own, in fact he may already be there.

Commented by On 03/01/2004

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