Take Me Away

Album Review

Not many Christian singers can find the same kind of vocal fire for God that secular singers use to express their emotions at jilted lovers, but this Rockford, IL, native adds a much needed grit to contemporary Christian music. On anthemic, simmering rock-blues crunchers like "Please Forgive Me," she gets you to feel her need for God's grace like few artists in the genre ever have. Her press materials tout this side of her artistry — which immediately compels the listener on the opening power ballad title track — as Joplin-esque, but as befits a spiritual singer, Sarah Kelly also has a more ethereal side that draws from the Sarah McLachlan and Norah Jones type of emotional subtleties. "Living Hallelujah" and "All I See" contemplate all the Christian questions you've heard before, but in a wistful, soul-searching way that will inspire those who like a gentler approach. Somewhere in the middle are the straightforward rockers that combine the best of these styles. Another great selling point is Kelly's great songwriting ability, which could easily create a few contemporary worship standards from some of the material here.