Review: Rebecca St. James - "If I Had One Chance To Tell You Something"

Rebecca St. James - "If I Had One Chance To Tell You Something"
(EMI, 2005)

If you're a fan of pop songsmith Anna Nalick, you'll probably enjoy Rebecca St. James's sixth studio album If I Had A Chance To Tell You Something, released on the EMI label. St. James has clearly mastered her blend of alt-pop Christian contemporary music; she's comfortable on single material as ear-catching as "Shadowboxing," which features a Nalick-esque vibe, while attempting a wider-ranging sound with "Love Being Loved By You" which is comparable to recent material by Liz Phair. The album is frontloaded with material that should tear up the CCM charts, particularly the ethereal track "I Need You," which opens with dissonant string chords and a haunting vocal melody that goes well beyond the typical pop format. If cutting edge alt-pop music with a religious bent is up your alley, you'll find little about this album disappointing.