Reviewed by Tony Cummings

New York-based independent artist Sienna has a strong voice, able to handle rockers and ballads with equal aplomb. And keyboard player and producer Sam Mizell has assembled a tight band of Nashville musicians to accompany Sienna's strident tones. So how come this album never rises above mere ordinariness? Well, as with many an independent project the songs, all here written by Mike Turner, simply seldom excite. Lyrically the deal with age old themes like how it's better to give than to receive ("Give A Little"), the destructiveness of gossip ("Look The Other Way") and the timeless message of salvation ("I Believe") but too often the melodies are predictable, the chord changes clichéd and the effect eventually soporific for all the guitarist's power chords and Sienna's overblown emoting. The ballad "I Believe" is pleasant relief but it's too little to save the album from slipping from this reviewer's attention. Here's hoping for better songs next time. Ms Mongiello's first album 'Steps' was very impressive, so this is a major disappointment.

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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