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Staci Frenes breaks the mold of the norm and is quite confident in her God-given abilities. Her experience is evident in Nothing Short of Amazing, her fourth CD. This bay-area marvel has written with Margaret Becker and other notables, so the term “professional independent” is Staci in a nutshell.
Amazing starts out with the title track. It has a Jaci-Velasquez- grows-up feel to it, poppy and begging you to move. Right off the bat, you know this is an album you’re going to like as the hook grabs you and has you singing along, “You are nothing short, you are nothing short of amazing.” Safe Place to Land is the second of several radio-ready tracks. It’s a little simpler than the previous cut, but extremely catchy. This is probably a classic concert tune, with backups and a live band behind Staci as it has that anthem feel to it.
Surprise Me keeps that trademark hook chorus which keeps continuity to this very listenable album. Safe With Me adds a lighter touch with an alternative ballad feel and this tune has immense potential to crossover into the pop market. The lyrics are really touching and current, ones that most everyone will relate to. Staci’s voice perfectly fits this song, with a strength and yet an airiness which gives us an emotion-laden impression.
It’s back to her acoustic roots on Imagine That. What a nice edge and a fantastic hook with a verse melody reminiscent of my favorite Staci song, Believe You from her self titled debut CD. Staci has a real knack for hooks that stick in your head, and nowhere is that more apparent than on Imagine That. You’ll find yourself singing along to the chorus (though you might have a more difficult time keeping up with the verses). This song shows a great understanding of what is radio-worthy, and I suspect we’ll hear this on most every station that gives it a listen.
St. Mary’s is a journey through Staci’s life and just has an essence about it; you can feel like you were this girl running up the steep streets of San Francisco. The sad tambour takes us back to innocence lost, yet it’s hopeful and laden with faith that brings us through by His grace. Surely Heaven is this same type of feeling; one you can’t replace and always want to hold dear and never lose.
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