SPOTLIGHT CD REVIEW: UNSTOPPABLE GOD- THE KINGSMEN
SOUTHERN GOSPEL SPOTLIGHT PRESENTS:
CD REVIEW:
UNSTOPPABLE GOD
THE KINGSMEN
LABEL: HORIZON RECORDS
PRODUCER:JEFF COLLINS
RELEASE DATE: FEBRUARY 16, 2024, AVAILABLE NOW!
GROUP MEMBERS: RAY DEAN REESE (BASS), ALAN KENDALL (BARITONE), THOMAS NALLEY (TENOR), COLE WATSON (LEAD), AND DREW LANEY (BASS)
SONG LIST:
Sound Of The Righteous (Dianne Wilkinson, Janice Crow)
Unstoppable God (Kenna Turner West, Jason Cox, Christopher Bryant)
When The Saints Go Marching In (Squire E. Parsons Jr.)
Soul Set Free (Matther Lawson, Nathan Woodard)
The Me I’ll Never Know (Matthew Lawson, Nathan Woodard)
It Ain’t Nothing For Him (Kenna Turner West, Lee Black)
The God Who Never Changes (Dianne Wilkinson, Marty Funderburk, Aaron Wilburn)
Second Chances (Karen Gillespie, Brian Principe, Randall Garland)
The Strength Of The Rock (Alan Kendall, Rodney Griffin)
Praying For The Prodigal (Rachel McCutcheon, Rodney Griffin)
I Just Stopped By On My Home (Alton Harkins, Bill Ready Jr.)
No Other King (Lee Black, Sue C. Smith)
THOUGHTS:
The Kingsmen have undergone a few changes in the last two years. In 2022, tenor Chris Jenkins and lead Chris Bryant left the group. Gold City members Thomas Nalley and Cole Watson joined as the new tenor and lead respectively. Ironically, Jenkins departed and joined Gold City as their new tenor so it was a swap of sorts. Bryant went on to join the Kingdom Heirs. In addition, longtime bass singer Ray Dean Reese took a step back from touring and hired young bass singer Drew Laney, who would take on much of the bass singing duties. Reese would still join the group on select songs much like Jim Hammill did in the past. Laney remained with the group for a year and departed last December. Laney is, however, still on this album. This album ushers in a new era for this legendary group.
This incredible opens with a classic Kingsmen style tune entitled “Song Of The Righteous.” This rousing, energy filled tune features the group with Thomas Nalley leading the chorus. Nalley takes the lead on what is already a hit song in the title track. This powerful anthem proclaims: There is no mountain that is unmovable or sea too hard to cross for the Unstoppable God. Next, the group shines on the Squire Parsons penned “When The Saints Go Marching In.” This fun tune simply says what a happy time it will be when we go marching through the pearly gates into Heaven. Cole Watson is featured on the mid-tempo groove “Soul Set Free,” which proclaims: ever since His Love got ahold of me, I’m a soul set free! Alan Kendall takes the lead on the moving ballad “The Me I’ll Never Know.” This powerful track that simply thanks God for the change he’s made in our lives. He made my life worth living. “It Ain’t Nothing For Him” is a fun, up-tempo, groovy tune featuring Thomas Nalley that simply says: nothing is impossible for Christ! Ray Dean Reese and Drew Laney shine on the mid-tempo ballad “The God Who Never Changes.” This tender song reminds us that the God who never changes is still changing us. Cole Watson takes the lead again on the beautiful ballad “Second Chances.” This incredible track says: Christ’s Mercy gives us more than second chances. His Love reaches beyond our circumstances. If He would have saved us from every trial, we would never have known the full extent of His Mercy. Drew Laney shines on the mid-tempo tune “The Strength Of The Rock.” This fun song encourages listeners to put their trust in Christ. Your house won’t stand in the strength of its own, but it will in the strength of the Rock. Laney’s voice reminds me a great deal of former Inspirations’ bass Marlin Shubert. Thomas Nalley takes the lead once again on the mid-tempo ballad “Praying For The Prodigal.” This tender song encourages listeners to keep praying for those who have lost their way. Next, the group brings back a Kingsmen classic with “I Just Stopped By On My Way Home.” This up-tempo tune features each member with Ray Dean Reese on bass vocals. The album closes with “No Other King,” a powerful ballad that praises Christ, our Savior. No other king would leave his throne to lay down his life for a sinner like me.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
THE KINGSMEN HAVE RELEASED YET ANOTHER STELLAR RECORDING! THIS PROJECT IS INCREDIBLE FROM START TO FINISH! THE NEW LINEUP IS ONE OF THE GROUP’S BEST IN MY HUMBLE OPINION. JEFF COLLINS DOES ANOTHER FANTASTIC JOB ON THE PRODUCTION SIDE AND THE MUSICIANS DID A STELLAR JOB AS WELL. FANTASTIC VOCALS AND INCREDIBLE SONGS. HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: “UNSTOPPABLE GOD,” “I JUST STOPPED BY ON MY WAY HOME,” “SOUND OF THE RIGHTEOUS,” “THE STRENGTH OF THE ROCK,” “THE GOD WHO NEVER CHANGES,” AND “THE ME I’LL NEVER KNOW.”
GO GET THIS ALBUM ASAP!
5 OUT OF 5 STARS!!
FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.kingsmenquartet.com