These Days  (Audio CD) 
by Sandi Patty

Produced by Greg Nelson, Brent Bourgeois and Hal S. Batt, Sandi Patty's These Days seems to be, at first, an interesting diversion from the lush, orchestrated sounds and lyrical depth of 1998's Artist of My Soul. From the surprisingly fast-paced pop opener, "Wouldn't Trade It for the World," to the strobe-lighted dance mix of "Shine," to the slight Spanish strings heard in "These Are the Days," there are signs that these fine producers have been working overtime to surprise the listener. And progress and variety are fine and well.

The problem is, whether the listener has been a fan since before the Larnelle Harris duet days or an excited newcomer who hadn't heard her sing until a trip to hear the Dallas Symphony this year, people expect more of Sandi Patty than musical variety and pop invention. People listen to Sandi Patty to hear her deliver lyrics so compelling the hair on the back of their necks stands up. They listen to hear her grab those high notes and wring the life out of them without even making half an effort.

And while These Days offers a few powerful moments, including the beautiful bi-lingual duet "Solo El Amor (Only Love)" with Miguel Guerra and the poignant, Celtic-tinged "Go Without Knowing," the songs here are largely forgettable. In These Days, the Sandi Patty thrill is waning, if not momentarily gone. -- Melissa Riddle (c) 2000 CCM Communications, Inc.