Paige

A 16-year-old singer/songwriter powerhouse from Katy, TX, Paige Lewis is like the teenage Amy Grant in scope and worshipful attitude, only edgier and hipper for the new millennium. Hard to say if this comparison — or another obvious one, that her voice has all the edgy intensity of Alanis Morrisette, only geared upwards rather than inwards towards anger — would be taken as a compliment by Lewis, but like Grant, she's a CCM superstar in the making. And like Morrisette, she's got an undeniable vocal conviction and emotional power. Veteran producers David Rice and Matt Hammon create an amazing wall of sound for her, as on the throbbing, brass- and choir-enhanced opening track, "Hide Myself in You," which has anthem potential. "Heart of Hearts" mixes nature sounds, shuffling grooves, and a spirit of obedience. "Cry Holy" has the gritty intensity of an Alanis tune, but she gives her brokenness over to the Lord amidst maybe a bit of overkill in the percussive production. "So Not About Me" takes a cool, youthful detour towards ska-land, mixing a Phil Spector wall-of-sound flavor. "Here in the Light" features a bluesy rock vibe, lush vocal harmonies, and a playful harmonica solo. Like any young person caught up in the worship experience, Lewis keeps her lyrics potent but simple; it's her diversity as a songwriter which will lead her to a successful career. Her goal seems to be speaking spiritually to her own generation — and a closing track like "Darkness Into Light" is a perfect message to young people whose lives in the modern world are often so complicated.