The Bright Sadness (CD - 2008)

Personnel: Kendall Combs (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, background vocals); David Hodges (piano, keyboards, background vocals); Dustin Ragland (drums, percussion, programming).

Audio Mixer: Shane D. Wilson.

Recording information: 611 Creative, Oklahoma City, OK; Sleep Walker Studios, Studio City, CA; The Music Group, Oaklahoma City, OK.

Editor: Dan Certa.

CCM troubadour Charlie Hall is not your typical cookie-cutter Christian act. His lyrics gaze unflinchingly on some of the less wholesome aspects of life on earth, and plumbs hope and meaning from them, as evidenced on lovely alt-rock ballads like "Hookers and Robbers" and "Bloom Again," which encourage acceptance, tolerance, and faith. This is all held together by Hall's mellifluous tenor vocals and easy way with a melody.

Charlie Hall delivered his magnum opus with this intrinsically captivating worship album. His approach to modern worship has no true contemporary, though it's easy to hear the influence of being on the Passion scene for so many years with labelmates the David Crowder Band and Chris Tomlin. A beautiful concoction of swirling synths, punchy guitars. and challenging lyrics lifts Hall above the mediocrity of the day. His enchanting tenor serves as vehicle for deeply penetrating messages of the ironies of the Christian walk. "This is a night of Love's renovation" he sings on "Hookers and Robbers." "We must learn to see without our eyes" he submits on "The Second Alive." These themes, extensions of the album title, indicate the acceptance of the duality of our lives and how it brings us even closer, not further, from God. A "bright" spot indeed for fans of innovative contemporary Christian rock. ~ Jared Johnson minimize