Sunday, February 17, 2013

CD Review – Believe: A Spiritual Romance, by 2002


Every time I receive a mailer from 2002, I can’t wait to open the package and hear what marvelous, glorious sonic adventure I’ll be taken on. This is the third such time I’ve had the pleasure, and it’s been a charm every time. Unfortunately, due to extenuating circumstances, it took a long while to get to it, but the wait was well worth it.
 
The Billboard-charting group, which recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, has unleashed yet another masterpiece of sonic bliss. Randy (guitars, bass, percussion) and Pamela (flutes, harp) Copus, both of whom play keyboards and synthesizers, are joined on vocals by their eight-year-old daughter Sarah, who also helped with the arrangements, including composing the melody for “A Dream Creation.”
 
The instrumentation is thick, dense, and lush, and the female vocals are angelic, resulting in a truly heavenly sound. Randy’s vocals are more grounded, and when he gets into a higher register, he sounds similar to Peter Cetera, giving the songs more of a pop-rock feel.
 
The production is flawless in its knife-edge quality, really bringing out the vocals and instrumentation and making the album a delight to listen to from beginning to end.
 
While each and every song is a treasure for the heart, mind, and soul, my favorite track is the New Age rocker “Yeshua,” a grand, propulsive, and vibrant anthem. This one has all the makings of a hit New Age radio single.
 
The album is yet another winner from these always reliable chart-toppers. Leave it to 2002 to churn out one consistent classic after another.
 
--Raj Manoharan

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