Evolved...from Boys to Men

Album Review

In case the intentions of the PAJAM writing and production team (Paul "pda" Allen, Walter Kearney, and J. Moss) in auditioning hundreds of Detroit teens to assemble the urban gospel trio 21:03 were not clear already, the title of the group's third album, Evolved...from Boys to Men, should spell things out explicitly. Of course, the 1990s R&B vocal quartet subtly referenced spelled their name Boyz II Men, but the point is the same. Simultaneously, the album title also suggests the emerging maturity of the singers, Evin Martin, Torrence Greene, and Jor'el Quinn, now having attained their majority by reaching their early twenties. Yet PAJAM clearly is still in charge of the act, even if Martin and Quinn are getting some co-writing credits. There is a contemporary feel to tracks like "Hear Your Voice" (with its trendy references to Facebook and Twitter) and "Already Done," which boast Auto-Tune processing on the vocals and punchy electronic beats. And the "bangers" "Winner" and "Favor" are poised to get audiences on their feet and raving. But the album also makes room for some slow, more traditional ballads, notably "Still Here" and the testimony-filled "In Your Presence." "All You Need" is backed largely by a piano, and the closer, "Loving You (The Wedding Song)," is set to an acoustic guitar with finger snaps for percussion. Such songs should satisfy the desires (spiritual and otherwise) of fervent young female fans and expand 21:03's audience while also furthering their ministry.