History

Sounds like … late 90's Christian Top 40, reminiscent of groups like Newsboys, Delirious?, Sonic Flood, and Jars of Clay with tinges Matchbox 20 and Eve 6.At a glance … A "best of" album combining the hit tunes from the Paul Colman Trio and Colman's albums Let it Go and If I Were Jesus EP.Track ListingIf I Was JesusHistory MakerHolding On To YouTurnRunFill My CupGloria (All Gods Children)The One ThingSolutionSweet Sweet Song Of SalvationAll You NeedI Owe It AllThe Killing Tree

Paul Colman's career certainly hasn't slowed down since his Dove Award winning days with The Paul Colman Trio.? After a three-year stint as the guitarist for the Newsboys, Colman continues his musical journey with the release of his sophomore solo disc History.? The majority of this album is a reworking of previously released Trio tunes and tracks from his freshman release Let it Go and the recently released If I Was Jesus - EP. Colman describes the album as a sort of "best of" scattered with a few covers.

The first thing you hear when listening to History are the words "If I was Jesus I'd have some real long hair, a robe and some sandals is what I'd wear," from the cheesy Toby Keith cover, "If I Was Jesus." Unfortunately, since Colman is unable to communicate any sense of satire or humor throughout the song, it comes off confusing and sets a strange pace for the rest of the album. Colman continues with a Seal-inspired cover of "History Maker" from fellow Christian rockers Delirious that doesn't do much to aid a confused listener.

History definitely floats in an atmosphere of nostalgia. "Fill My Cup," "Turn," "Run," "The Killing Tree" and? "Solution" are all old PC3 tunes first released in the late 90's. And you feel it. "Turn" and "Run" both have that grooving pop-rock sound reminiscent of bands like Eve 6 and Matchbox 20. And although these PC3 hits are what won Colman earlier praise, they aren't what won me over on this album.

Putting old PC3 material back-to-back with tracks from his 2004 Let it Go really puts into perspective the maturity of Colman's sound. "Holding on to You" and "Gloria" display his skill in writing epic worship tunes that usually only seem to work when sang in a room of hundreds of people. But even without the crowds, that huge sound is captured well on these tracks. Colman's voice also sails in a way that doesn't really come through in some of the PC3 or cover material. With a powerful voice, Colman delivers his powerful message: "You never change! Your love remains! Oh God, I'm holding on to you!" ("Holding on to You").

Needless to say, History is a bridge mix of Colman's work.? If you are a Colman fan and desire a "best of" album, this is a fine selection of work. However, Colman is set to release another digital EP in 2009 and has been talking of new material he hopes to start recording this year. ?So if you're looking for a fresh sound, History might be best left in the past.