In Between the Now & Then

There’s a freshness to Amanda Falk’s music that invokes both her Canadian prairie upbringing and her hopeful Christian vision. She has steadily gained confidence as an artist, developing a vocal presence reminiscent of early Amy Grant (in its mixture of wistfulness and strength) and Sarah McLachlan (in its mystical tinge). She’s also grown as a writer, able to celebrate the Lord’s constant presence with subtle colors in “Paper Planes,” “Symphony,” “We Will Wait” and similar tunes. There are darker moments as well, though even moody tracks like “Look for the Light” and “No More Shadows” point towards salvation. The poetic yet conversational quality of Falk’s lyrics and the graceful contours of her melodies are enhanced by producer Adrian Bradford, who brings a Daniel Lanois-like ambient touch to “In a Moment” and a symphonic sheen to “Unbreakable.” “Redemption” and “Horizon” are straight-ahead worship songs, sung with fervor and almost classical poise. A well realized and deeply felt work.