Chris Sligh is often known as the guy who smart-mouthed perpetually-caustic judge Simon Cowell a few years ago on “American Idol.”
But like Carrie Underwood has gotten as much or even more attention for hits like “Jesus, Take the Wheel” and “Before He Cheats” than for winning Idol, Sligh is starting to become known for more than being in the top 10 on America’s popular show.
As well he should.
With his newest effort, “Running Back to You,” Sligh has a tremendously uplifting, “listen-able” and poweful new statement … a statement of both his faith and his talent.
His is a classic sound … catchy songs usually built around guitars and his clear, easy-to-take and easy-to-understand - and also powerful - voice.
And Sligh has obviously spent some time thinking of his spiritual journey, to hear the 13 songs on “Running Back to You.”
Located somewhere in the ocean-wide musical range between hard rock and easy listening (”power pop” or “pop-rock” is what most would call it), “Running Back to You” is a tremendous work, sure to make many 2008 top-10 lists.
And it’s a good place to invest $12.99 or what have you.
There will be few better Christian contemporary songs in 2008 than “Empty Me,” the big hit so far.
It begins with a soaring guitar but then is a showcase for Sligh’s excellent voice, and lyrics that seek God’s help in losing “the foolishness inside … the poison of my pride” and other such vices.
But “Running Back to You” is no one-hit wonder.
It starts with Sligh’s plaintive-turns-into-powerful voice on the first song, “Arise,” as a Sonicflood-ish verse suddenly morphs into a David Meece chorus.
It continues on “Cry Tonight,” as strings turn into a grunge-sounding guitar.
And it keeps right on the piano-led ballad, “In A Moment.”
Sligh wrote or co-penned each of the 13 songs, and also plays some electric guitar, piano and synth.
The 30-year-old South Carolina native is a talented guy, a powerful singer a little along the lines of David Meece or Petra’s John Schlitt over a bed of guitars, and he has a lot to say.
And he says it well … especially when he changes keys, you can tell he’s a great vocalist, especially on the third song, “I’m Clean.”
“I’m clean … through no good of my own,” he sings, “but when You look at me You see Your Son, and I am clean.”
Sound pretty clear, spiritually-speaking?
His 15 minutes of fame from Idol will give him an open door for music fans who are curious, Christian and non-Christian alike, and may give his new work a listen.
They will find “Running Back to You” to be a good place to hang out.