Editorial Reviews

American Idol finalist RJ Helton didn't make it past the Top 5, but his lush, boy-band--primed vocals, cherubic good looks, and testimonies of faith were enough to convince B-Rite Records that the Georgia native was ready for Christian music's prime time. Real Life is Helton's debut, and it's a pure pop confection, from the slick-as-a-hockey-rink production to hooky inspirational songs to Helton's own showy vocal displays (he'll choose acrobatics over holding a note every time). It's a recipe straight out of the boy-band handbook -- think Backstreet Boys and Christian music's own Plus One -- and Helton pulls it off remarkably well. Latin rhythms ("Love Song," also sung in Spanish as "Canto de Amor," and "My Devotion"), smooth R&B ("Tell Me," "Even If") and hip-hop flourishes ("My Devotion" again, and "Freedom") are on display here, with the lyrics for the most part being devotions to God. Helton has a beautiful voice that handles the highly-polished approach well, though one does crave to hear some edge somewhere. Super-slick pop doesn't allow much room for an artist's personality to shine through, and that's a weakness of Real Life. Lisa Zhito, Barnes & Noble

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