Reviewed by Jo Sercombe

Why this album should be subtitled 'Inspirational Songs' I have no idea. 'The World's Most Over-Done Covers' would be a far more appropriate epitaph. Its such a shame because Ms Rimes has a lovely, if overdeveloped, voice for one so young. But this bland collection of weary pop tunes belittles any vocal-diva potential she may possess. The odds were stacked against her though - you'd have to be pretty special to make "Bridge Over Troubled Water" and "I Believe" sound fresh. Though her delivery is reminiscent of Celine Dion, her interpretations lack the panache and originality of basic musical maturity. This is Nashville at it's most trite and the acapella renditions of "Amazing Grace" and the American National Anthem are frankly self-indulgent. America may be 'the land of the free and the home of the brave' (as the song goes), its country music machine should keep starlets in the pipeline a little longer - at least until they have something interesting to say for themselves.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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