It makes me feel a little sheepish to admit it, but the first time I heard their instant-anthem, catchy and great new song, I thought it was Carrie Underwood.
Then, the next time I heard it and was already singing along to it, I was determined to go look up who this was.
It turned out to be The Sonflowerz, a sister act that sounds about as exciting a female Christian music artist to emerge in awhile.
The song I had heard on the radio was “Edge of My Seat,” and it’s not the only good and maybe great one on the new CD, “All Over the World,” by the Sonflowerz.
“Edge Of My Seat” hit #1 on one chart the first week, and that was just the start.
There’s also a great song called “My Adoration,” an original worship song co-written by Sonflowerz lead singer and guitarist Elissa Leander, and that made the top 5 on the same chart.
There’s also “Like No One Else,” fueled by dreamy Southern-and-country-fueled guitars and the ballad “More Than I Think I Am” among the 11 strong efforts on “All Over The World.”
As I wrote about Chris Sligh recently, the Sonflowerz are an exciting new presence in Christian music, a nice addition to the quote-unqote scene in 2008 … and, it looks like, way beyond.
Hard to believe it’s been just a year since the Sonflowerz won first place in the vocal duo competition and best overall vocal group at the big aannual Gospel Music Association “Music in the Rockies” competition.
After winning that, last August, the vocal duo of Elissa and her sister Becca began work right away on “All Over The World.”
It’s only been nine years since the Sonflowerz began, when Elissa Leander began writing original worship songs at the age of 14.
Encouraged by her youth pastor to form a band with her sister, Becca (bass/vocals/keyboard), they began performing at venues across their home state of Colorado.
Their first album, “You Remain,” and single, “Crazy Love,” were released in 2002. Their sophomore effort, “Alive in You,” was released in 2005.
They’re half-British, half-American, and “the real deal,” as Alyssa Barlow of BarlowGirl said.
“Edge of My Seat” certainly is the real deal, showing lyrics that have dealt with maturity way beyond Elissa’s 20-plus years, and her throaty, husky vocal style that reminds you of the best female country stars. Without the twang.
They’re an act you’ll still be singing along to long after you hit the eject button. That’s what I’ve been doing … and I won’t be forgetting their name any time soon.