Reviewed by Simon Eden

This CD is a repackaged release of 1997's 'A Maze Of Grace' and 1999's 'In A Different Light'. For a band that has had, over a 10 year period, three Grammy nominations, six Dove Awards and 25 Dove nominations including Group Of The Year, Avalon have clearly been highly successful. With their latest album of 'Timeless Christian Classics' being released in 2008, this visitation to their early days has not dated well. The musical production is a product of its day, with keyboard and drum sounds stamping their place in history which has not carried the songs on either album into being classics, although some do still get airplay. With Nickki Anders leaving the band in 1998 and being replaced by country singer Cherie Adams for the 'In A Different Light' album, there is little if any significant difference between the two albums. Despite the change in line up, the consistent manufactured aspect of the group's output allows the two albums to fit together. The occasional song on each album does break out of the construct, in powerful ballads such as "Adonai" and "Can't Live A Day" which provide a little relief from the musical museum tour.

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