Declaration is the Crist Family’s first CD on the Horizon label.
The music track for Sandy Knight’s “Declaration Of The Christ” sounds like a 1970s game show theme. The lyric focuses on making a statement for Christ. “Nothin’ But Good” showcases the soulful vocals of Tami Starkel and is the group’s first radio single from Declaration. Jackie Crist is featured next on the slow paced “My Heart Knows.” “Start With Me” features Rich Crist and is the sort of song Glad might have recorded twenty years ago. Bass singer Tom Joyce is showcased on “He Knows The Way Home.”
“Only What God Can Do” enlists a minor key and programmed percussion to generate a sound not typically heard on a Southern Gospel recording. The chorus reins it back in by shifting to a more familiar major tonality and a backbeat driven, 4/4 rhythm. “The Rock” is a typical 6/8 orchestrated anthem. “There’s A Song In There Somewhere” is a Sue Smith/Joel Lindsey collaboration about finding a song to sing no matter what circumstances you face. “I’ll Sing A New Song” continues the theme of the previous lyric with a banjo driven track. John Starkel is featured on the melody. Declaration concludes with “There Is No Other Name” and “More Than Wonderful.” The latter is an a cappella version of the chorus from the Sandi Patti classic.
With seven capable singers, the Crist Family offers a variety of vocal combinations and a compatible mix of musical styles on Declaration. They have set their sound apart from the norm with their unique line-up. The group excels at a cappella singing, so it’s unfortunate that Declaration only has one selection in that format. Otherwise, Declaration is a satisfying CD both in terms of production and song selection.