No, the poor graphics didn't affect my opinion of the lyrics, Deon. I evaluated everything on what I considered to be its own merit. I thought the rhymes lacked creativity (obvious rhymes, etc.).

However, I did fail to point out that Mike McClain deserves a positive mention for his work on this CD. He played most of the instruments along with co-producing, and I agree with you that the music tracks are decent.

David, in my opinion the message of the songs were far to good for a little thing like simplistic rhymes to bother me.
BTW, if you ever see any of the songs that I've written (and I don't profess to be a great songwriter) you will see the same type of simplistic rhyming. When I say 3 1/2 stars I am concentrating more on the vocals and the dynamics of their singing than the things that you were concerned about.

Deon Unthank
SoGospelNews.com
My Blog

Some people are like Slinkys… Not really good for anything, but they
still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs - Author Unknown

Let me chime in here. I agree that more detail could have been taken with the graphics on this project, but to evaluate a project poorly because the songs have a simple rhyme seems a bit harsh to me. After all, the greatest story ever told is as simple as it gets. Simplicity, in my opinion, is not a merit that deserves a poor rating. Who has set a standard that a good song or recording has to have a majestic rhyming pattern? If you'll listen, most of the old classic southern gospel songs are simple, obvious rhymes. It's all about reaching people with the Gospel, not wowing them with refined lyrics.

Erica, no review I write makes any attempt to judge the ministry value a CD may have. All I do is compare CDs to others that are available, based on aspects like songwriting, packaging, music quality, vocal quality, etc. . . . things that can be compared. Only God can evaluate you on ministry value. I can assure you that I did not write this review with any intentions of hurting you. I don't even know you, so I would have no reason to do something like that.

DJ Man, it's fine for a song to be simple if it's original in the process. These songs aren't necessarily simple, actually . . . they just have very obvious rhymes and lack originality or any "hooks" that make them stand out.

ChurchmanDan, I'm at a disadvantage of not knowing any of their fans personally. In retrospect, maybe a 2 Star rating would have been more accurate, but I'd still be guessing. I think their biggest fans could readily notice flaws like a photo on the back that is stretched horizontally, but not vertically, while on the back of the CD cover, there's one that's stretched vertically but not horizontally. Both images look distorted.

I could write several paragraphs about other less than professional aspects of this recording, but if I did that, some readers would take it totally the wrong way . . . an attack on the Lasters' ministry, or whatever. I don't want to be taken as anything other than a voice of constructive criticism about this or any other CD I may review.

Would it not be more appropriate to just Not review a project rather than assign a rating that says:
1 1/2 STARS = A project that even their biggest fans will not purchase.

That's pretty plain it's trash and if it's trash why take up the time and space to review it? Ya'll must be really bored or something?