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I never knew i loved country music till i heard this album. I was walking past the television one day and i heard "Umbrella". I just stopped. The harmonies and lyrics are so enchanting.
She's extraordinary). I fell in love with The Isaacs at a Gaither concert--after all, they were the only ones both singing AND playing their own acoustic stuff. With "Big Sky" they cross over from southern gospel/bluegrass to a very contemporary country sound but with enough "twangyness" to make me love it. (Previously, of the three siblings, I only thought Sonya did lead. I believe they would turn the northern states popular Christian radio upside-down. The overall sound--vocals, instruments, production--is very, very polished.
I would LOVE to hear The Isaacs do some songs that clearly speak of Jesus and challenge Christians to be conformed to His image. Awesome. The only failing I find with this recording is a lack of any real spiritual depth in the lyrics. I was pleasantly surprised to find Becky and Ben also singing lead and they sounded great. Wow. (a la CCM'ers Casting Crowns or Mercy Me).
But I also think using their superb talents on just regular songs is a mighty fine way to make a living and I am glad they did.
Since then I have purchased one Alison Krauss CD and mostly enjoyed it. I purchased it on amazon last week and have listened to nothing else since. I absolutely love this album. A friend turned me on to the Isaacs and this is the first of their cds I have owned. I never liked bluegrass until I saw "Oh Brother Where Art Thou". Then, like a million other people, I bought the soundtrack and thoroughly enjoyed it. It is a unique blend of harmony, interesting and folksy lyrics, and unusual combinations of instruments. I highly recommend it.
Not really crazy about the new direction this extremely talented family has taken. Way too much drums and way too little bluegrass sound - for me.
But I do think they should be careful who they choose as their producers. I knew that after their successful Heroes album in 2004 that they would change their sound. Well after "Heroes" this is what I expected. I just hope they don't switch from gospel to country. On this project I think they have changed for the better. Even thoug I am a long-time fan of The Isaacs I still think "Big Sjy" is one of their greatest projects. Even though Sonya is known for country music; The Isaacs are not. But I love the music and the great work they are doing.
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