- I Simply Love You (Intro)
- Highest Praise
- Deliverance is Available
- Here in This House
- In the Sanctuary
- I'll Run to You
- In the Presence of Jehovah
- At Your Feet
- He's Been Faithful
- Increase Me
- I Simply Love You
Vicki Yohe starts her latest with a song she later reprises in the closing track. Employing a sparse arrangement with not much more than a strumming guitar, Yohe's distinctive voice really shines on "I Simply Love You." And if it hadn't been for such a promising beginning, the rest of the album wouldn't feel so glaringly out of place.
A number of artists have successfully incorporated retro styles into their sounds, proving that a little nostalgia can be good if executed properly. But properly is the key word here, and that's missing on
Born into a minister's family, Yohe wrote and sang her first song at age 5. And at first listen here, there's no doubt she's a seasoned pro. With a great range and the warm tones that make Christy Nockels (Watermark) such an enjoyable vocalist, Yohe's pipes aren't the issue here. It's the dated production and lack of real instrumentation; instead, they rely on cheesy synths for most of the foundation, not doing the songs any favors.
"Highest Praise," "Here in This House" and "Increase Me" are straightforward, slightly predictable worship songs that wouldn't be out of place at your Sunday morning service. But with all the bells, whistles and bombastic arrangements that bring to mind some of Christian music's royalty (circa 1986), you just scratch your head and wonder: Who thought this was a good idea? But after the journey down memory lane, it's the reprise of "I Simply Love You" that reminds you that there's real potential here—if Yohe were guided down a more current musical path.