Editorial Reviews

Rock 'n' roll with a pop polish describes Alive, the solo debut from Todd Smith. As one-third of contemporary praise trio Selah, Smith is better known for rich harmonies and acoustic updates of traditional hymns, making Alive a major about-face. The implication of backpedaling is appropriate: Alive seems firmly rooted in the '70s and '80s style of rock made famous by Kansas, Foreigner, Journey, and the like. The title track rocks hard, full of slamming guitar riffs and throbbing drums-typical of the cuts on Alive. On ballads like "Sad Song" and "Our Love Will Survive," Smith musters some old-time power-ballad energy and conviction. But the sound is dated, and Smith takes himself a tad too seriously. A lightening of the mood is sorely needed-something offered only on the gentle closing track, "Sweet Jesus." This acoustic gem offers a moment free of hair-metal guitar angst, allowing some real emotion to shine through, and one of the few moments that really comes, er, "alive." Lisa Zhito, Barnes & Noble

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