Title: "Never The Same"
Description: Dove Brothers Quartet
Chadley - October 22, 2007 11:47 PM (GMT)
Group Name: Dove Brothers Quartet
Website: www.dovebrothersquartet.com
Album Title: “Never The Same”
Song Titles:
1. Taking It Back
2. Never Ever Be The Same
3. I Will Lay Them At His Feet
4. The Miracle Of Faith
5. I’m Gonna Make It
6. Journey’s End
7. Gloryland Express
8. I Can Pray
9. The Maranatha Church Revival
10. No Time
In 1998, McCray and Eric Dove formed what today has become one of the premier quartets in the Southern Gospel Music industry. The Dove Brothers Quartet has had several hit songs and won several industry awards over the years, and they show no signs of stopping anytime soon. Current group members include McCray Dove (lead), Eric Dove (baritone), Jerry Martin (tenor), David Hester (bass), and Jerry Kelso (piano).
“Never The Same” is the group’s latest album. The album, for the most part, continues in the same general vein as one of their previous album, “Anything But Ordinary, Everything But Typical”. It’s a slightly more “modern” sound than the Dove Brothers are traditionally known for, yet it maintains traditional elements that show the group has not abandoned their roots.
The album starts off with one of my favorite songs from this album, and it’s one that the group should seriously consider releasing to radio. “Taking It Back” is an up-tempo, “in-your-face” type song that features tenor vocalist Jerry Martin. Anyone who doesn’t rank Martin as one the best tenors in Southern Gospel music is, in my personal opinion, sadly mistaken. He has a powerful voice with clear tones that are fun to listen to even at its highest registers. Bass vocalist David Hester is featured on the second song, “Never Ever The Same”. I first heard Hester with the Anchormen, and I immediately noticed how clear he was in his lowest registers. He has a strong voice that lends itself well to bass leads, and this song gives him a chance to shine. He has a richness to his voice not unlike Eric Bennett of Triumphant Quartet.
Song #3 is a medium-tempo song called “I Will Lay Them At His Feet”. Most of this song consists of the group singing together and showcasing their blend, but baritone vocalist Eric Dove does have a solo on the second verse. The group has a good blend, and the vocal range of the group members allows them some variety in how they execute that blend. The arrangement of the fourth song immediately struck a nice cord with me, making it another of my favorites from this album. “The Miracle Of Faith” is a medium-tempo song that features Eric Dove. Eric is, I think, one of the most underrated baritones in the industry today. When people think of the Dove Brothers, they most often think of McCray as the face of the group. However, Eric has the kind of baritone voice that seems to “fill in the gaps” in the group’s blend, and yet it can stand alone with a clear tone when featured on leads and solos. As you listen to Eric sing this song, you get the impression that he is singing it as somewhat of a personal testimony. When a vocalist can do this, it really adds power to the message of the song.
Song #5 is the second song from this album to be released to radio. “I’m Gonna Make It” is an up-tempo song with a little bit of banjo in the background arrangement. This was an excellent choice for a radio release- it has a catchy tune that will catch peoples’ attention from the beginning. The next song is a lighter, medium-tempo song called “Journey’s End”. Even though there’s nothing wrong with the song or the way that the group performs it, I must admit that it’s not one of my favorites. I have to wonder what kind of reception it would get if released to radio.
The seventh song is another one on my list of favorites. McCray Dove is featured on the up-tempo “Gloryland Express”. McCray has one of the most distinctive voices in Southern Gospel music, and it’s admittedly sometimes hard to understand what he’s singing. However, everything he sings on this album is clearly understandable, and he has a powerful voice with good range. Song #8 is the first song from this album that was released to radio, and it is undoubtedly the most powerful song on the album. “I Can Pray” is a slower power ballad that features Jerry Martin. The arrangement and message found in the lyrics combine to hit the listener like a ton of bricks. I guarantee that you will be both blessed and convicted as you listen to this song. There was no way that I was not going to add this song to my list of favorites.
Song #9 is one of those “storytelling” songs that is fun to listen to. “Gloryland Express” is an up-tempo song that features McCray Dove and David Hester. This is another song that I think would do well as a radio release. The album concludes with another up-tempo, driving song. “No Time” contains some bass “sound bytes” by Hester that really add to the overall arrangement of the song. I think the group wanted to end this album on an upbeat note, and this song certainly does the trick.
This album is another in a line of excellent albums by the Dove Brothers. Is it their best ever? Not in my opinion, but it’s definitely in the top 3 in my book. I really like the newer style the group seems to be heading towards, and I’m looking forward to hearing how they work with that on future albums. Each of the vocalists in the group has power to their voice, but I like that they all have the ability to dial back the power when needed for a “softer” sound. One thing that I think this album needs, however, is at least one more slower song besides “I Can Pray”. I know that the Dove Brothers Quartet is a group known for their excitement, but this album was just a bit heavy on up-tempo and medium-tempo songs.
I would like to thank the Dove Brothers Quartet for the opportunity to review this album. I think that it is a must-have for Dove Brothers fans and fans of quality quartet singing alike. Overall, I would give it a rating of 9 out of a possible 10 microphones!
Personal Favorites: “Taking It Back”, “The Miracle Of Faith” “Gloryland Express”, and “I Can Pray”