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Current concise reviews of the albums by adult alternative, contemporary, and crossover artists. Images of album artwork and links to both internet-based resources are always included. Click on the title to view the article.

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Falling You CD Cover
Image © 1998 Adastra Records  
  The first recording from Ohio-based Falling You entitled Mercy (Adastra Records (USA) 9802, 1998) contains twelveof self-penned tracks of synth-oriented spacey and moody gothic music laced with superb lead and backing vocals by Jennifer McPeak. From the album's sleeve notes,Jennifer is the "life" element of the group. Instrumentals are by John Michael Zorko - the "blood" behind it all - and includesynthesizers, samplers, rattlers and drum programming. Guitar work on one of the instrumental tracks is provided by Scott Bivens.

Seven of the album's lush tracks are 'pure' instrumentals with only occasional light backing vocals adding texture to John Zorko's clever keyboard work. Typical music in this genre, the band's instrumentals are quite dark but extremely relaxing in their own way. The five lyrically richer numbers have Jennifer taking over and driving the music forward, however, with the exceptionof "Glacier," the songs fall short of leaving the listener with memorable melodies. The album's title track "Mercy" stands out as one of the band's rockier numbers crossing both blues and dance lines at the same time and is a testament to Jennifer's range, power and evocative style. Whether singing lyrics or providingbacking vocal scan, she has a truly stunning voice.

Best compared to Love Spirals Downwards, Love Is Colder Than Death, Edera and even some of the very early Chandeen, all of whom operate in the Heavenly Vocals genre, Falling You's music has somewhat of a unique freshness attributed to Jennifer McPeak's stunning vocal work and John's intellectually broader use of keyboard effects. Soundbites are available at the artists'mp3.com website. Fans of Hyperium Records' Heavenly Vocals compilations should certainly seek this album out. Overall, a very relaxing album.

 
 
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