RJ Helton
Real Life
B-Rite Music

The late George Harrison makes more direct references to the Lord in one song ("My Sweet Lord") than RJ Helton makes in his entire debut CD, and bear in mind the former Beatle was more into mysticism than he was a practicing Christian.

If you like the musical style of the original Plus One or True Vibe, you'll appreciate the boy-band sound of this record. However, the lyrics are often ambiguous, "My Devotion" and "Love Song" could be love songs about anybody. CCM Magazine lauds this record's "spiritual overtones." What does that mean? Todd Rundgren's under appreciated 1981 release "Healing" is packed full of spiritual overtones, but I don't see it for sale in Christian music stores.

Much of the promotional material supplied with this CD touts Helton's performance on "American Idol," a program that I have never wasted my mind, let alone my time, watching. In fact, the "mean" Simon Cowell, in a May 19 interview in the New York Times says, "Could I sit there and listen to these kids sing in concert? I couldn't stay there for two minutes. I couldn't think of anything worse."

When asked about "A.I." performers who have gospel music in their past and make frequent references to God in interviews, Simon says "Obviously a lot of people are using it to gain votes."

In an interview in cmmmagazine.com, RJ makes some interesting comments about being a Christian recording artist, "Being a role model is very scary because everyone watches you 10 times more, and me being in the Christian or gospel market is even worse. I can't go anywhere; I can't do anything without people holding me under a microscope." Jesus never said that allowing one's light to shine was going to be easy.

As for his generic lyrics, in the same interview RJ says, Yeah, I think "churchy" language turns people off. Even if you are a Christian, "churchy" language turns people off; and I tried to steer clear. There are, obviously, some more Christian songs on the record; but, for me, I wanted to kind of stay away from the really, really "churchy" language. That way it could be more universal." It terms of being "more universal," I recommend Jesus' words in John 17:17. I would also recommend that RJ read the insightful article "Are We Creating an Effective Tool?" in the March-April issue of Seven Ball magazine. Daniel J. Mann writes, "The model we would rather see is the model of Christ."

I fail to see that model in this record. Inexplicably, the song "Crazy," with the occasional chorus "Lord I'm crazy in love with you," does not have the lyrics printed in the CD booklet, nor were they supplied in the promotional materials. What's been labeled a prayer anthem, "Why Don't We Pray," doesn't mention Jesus, Lord, Father or Savior. It does say "He will meet our needs."

Perhaps I'm being picky or my cynicism is working against me, but just because the record has some generic "spiritual overtones" does not make this a very good Christian record. However, let's give this artist the benefit of the doubt and see if bolder statements are made in future recordings.

- Rob S.

http://www.rjheltononline.com/