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Brave Heart Review

OVERVIEW: Just when Amy Grant started singing secular pop and cavorting with models on VH1, Christian artist Kim Hill brought pop sensibilities to more religious-themed lyrics. With a voice that hints at Christine McVie and occasionally dark melodies that hint at Stevie Nicks, the commercial appeal of Hill's music was undeniable, and with lyrics that managed moral high ground while avoiding heavy-handed preachiness, "Brave Heart" was full of catchy potential pop hits that could have easily made dents in radio.

AT ITS BEST: The Beatlesque "Words" and the Southern Rock of "Satisfied" are about as slick and well-produced as you can get, and "She'll Come Around" smartly juxtaposes a hopeful lyric against a dark musical nuance that matches its subject's mood.

AT ITS WORST: The title track is somber without optimistic payoff and overstays its welcome at a length of over six minutes.

BOTTOM LINE: You don't have to be a holy-roller to appreciate Hill's well-intentioned lyrics, and its rock stylings aren't strong enough to alienate the born-again. "Brave Heart" is what "crossover" is all about.

Review by: John Jones, Amazon.com