5.01.2005 12:00

New voice, greater maturity on Everything and More

RICK MASSIMO

Billy Gilman Everything and More (Image Music Group)

Angela Bacari, Billy Gilman's manager, had told me that his new album would hold no real surprises for his fans -- more of the same good-natured modern country and inspiring messages he's been known for since his debut album, One Voice, in 2000. In fact, she said, this thematic and musical consistency was an important goal.

For most artists, that would signal a boring stasis. In Gilman's case, it's probably a good idea.

His childhood records had plenty of material, such as One Voice's "What's Forever For" and "Little Bitty Pretty One," or Dare to Dream's "Almost Love," on which it was clear that the young Gilman, for all his technical vocal skill, didn't really have a clue what he was singing about. Now, verging on 17, he's grown into his material.

As before, he's working at the intersection of country, pop and Christian music on these songs, written mostly by producer Sandy Linzer.

"Hey Little Suzie (The Cause of All That)" is a sweet midtempo romantic number, at least as much early-'80s pop-rock as country. It's a can't-miss single and its reminiscence of young love during a co-ed softball game is right down the teenage Gilman's alley.

"Everything and More," the first single, is a sweeping, dramatic ballad, pianos and strings, as much soul as country, where Gilman gets to show off his new voice. He'll always have a relatively high voice, but it's a good deal lower than before (and a good deal lower than his speaking voice) and has plenty of power.

The rest of the album mostly alternates between pleasant pop and winsome ballads, including devotional songs such as "Coming Home" and "Peaceable Kingdom," which includes an old-time vocal introduction.

There's also guitar-driven honky-tonk on "Three Words, Two Hearts, One Kiss" ("Let me spell it out for you, honey"? You go, Billy) and power balladry on "Is Anybody Out There," a tribute to the tribulations of a nameless soldier, and "Awaken the Music" (a version of Mozart's Symphony in G Minor, No. 40, with lyrics, which is an overproduced misstep).

"Looked Into the Wings" is a ballad clearly about Bacari's standing by Gilman during his enforced absence, and "Pray for Him" is the closest thing to a successor to "One Voice," a song about a child's devotion to a wayward big brother.

No one can tell how this will do in the commercial country marketplace, but Gilman has emerged from his voice-change hiatus with a more powerful instrument than ever.

The album comes out Tuesday, but you can hear it now on www.cmt.com. Search the Artists' Pages for "Billy Gilman," and on his page, click on "Listening Party."