SPOTLIGHT CD REVIEW: COME ON OVER- COVERED BY LOVE
SOUTHERN GOSPEL SPOTLIGHT PRESENTS:
CD REVIEW:
COME ON OVER
COVERED BY LOVE
GROUP MEMBERS: CODY, ETHAN AND RHONDA SMITH
PRODUCER: JOHN ROWSEY, CODY SMITH
LABEL: HITMAKER STUDIOS
RELEASE DATE: AVAILBLE NOW!
SONG LIST:
Come On Over
I’m Going To A City
I’m Not Perfect, Just Forgiven
There Is Jesus
I’ll Just Start To Live When I Die
If God Be For Us
I’ve Never Had To Trust You
Somebody Left The Door Open
The Gate
Vision Of Heaven
The Rest Is Up To You
THOUGHTS:
Covered By Love is back with another recording that features the Gospel front and center, some great songs and strong vocal performances. This recording also showcases this family group’s solid harmonies and dedication to Christ.
The album opens with the up-tempo title track featuring Cody Smith and simply encourages the listeners to accept Christ. Using the war analogy, it says “Come on over to the winning side.” Rhonda Smith is featured on the tender ballad “I’m Going To A City,” which looks toward Heaven. It reminds us that this world is not our final home. Those who believe in Him will live in Heaven forever with Christ. No more burdens to bear! “I’m Not Perfect, Just Forgiven,” featuring Ethan Smith is a fun, up-tempo tune that simply says: Thanks to God, I have been saved from my sin. I’m not perfect, but I have been forgiven. The trio each take a verse on the McKameys classic “There Is Jesus,” a moving ballad that reminds us that no matter what we face: God is always there for us. Cody is featured once again the mid-tempo country style track “I’ll Just Start To Live When I Die,” that says that death has no sting for the righteous who die. Eternal Life is ours if we believe. So we will just start living when we enter Heaven! “If God Be For Us,” is fun, up-tempo tune that features Ethan and Cody. This song reminds listeners that with God all things are possible! “I’ve Never Had To Trust You,” is a powerful ballad that says: I will trust you Lord, for you will see me through any trial. I’ve tried it on my own and failed. We cannot do it alone and need Christ. Next, the trio covers the up-tempo quartet tune “Somebody Left The Door Open,” which features guest bass vocals from engineer/mixer Dan Ward. This groovy song simply says: through His sacrifice, Christ opened the door to Heaven for us. “The Gate,” is a mid-tempo tune featuring Rhonda that describes the feeling of entering Heaven. We will finally be free of worries, doubts, fears, and all our earthly troubles. Cody is featured on the mid-tempo track “Vision Of Heaven,” which in my opinion is his best vocal performance on this record. This standout track talks about entering Heaven and greeting loved ones and other acquaintances who have been waiting there for us. The album closes with a tender ballad called “The Rest Is Up To You,” that simply says: Christ did His part in giving His Life for us. Now the rest is up to us. Will you reject Him or accept Him as your Savior? Cody is featured once again on this track showcasing his lower register.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
OVERALL, I REALLY ENJOYED THIS PROJECT. GREAT SONGS, SOLID VOCALS, AND SOLID PRODUCTION QUALITY. I PARTICULARLY ENJOYED CODY’S FEATURE ON “VISION OF HEAVEN,” AND “SOMEBODY LEFT THE DOOR OPEN,” ONCE AGAIN FEATURING GUEST BASS DAN WARD. THE TRIO’S HARMONIES WERE GREAT ON EACH TRACK.
3.75 OUT OF 5 STARS!
FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.coveredbyloveonline.com