Joy Williams
By Surprise
Reunion Records
Acoustic Pop/Rock
Track Listing
01: New Day
02: I Wonder
03: Every Moment
04: By Surprise
05: Surrender
06: Desperate
07: Every Day
08: Wish
09: Beautiful Somehow
10: The Love Of The Lord Endures
To those of us who compared Joy Williams to Rebecca St. James when Joy released her debut, we were more accurate than we could have dreamed.
Joy has made the incredible leap from just another talented vocalist (albeit a gift just at that) to an even more mature singer, and in addition, a powerful songwriter. By Surprise finds Joy leaving the teen pop sounds of her debut for a more acoustic rock feel, a lá Sheryl Crow, Vanessa Carlton, and Michelle Branch. While this possibly suicidal move could shake many artists' careers, Joy very comfortably fits into the role of singer/songwriter.
Joy co-wrote on six of the songs, many with Daily Planet frontman Jesse Butterworth. The songs also show an incredible maturity throughout lyrically. With themes like surrender, the songs show a maturity level not fitting with many artists today. I'm not saying others are immature; it's just that Joy has always had an adult-type sense of maturity, even as a teenager.
The most surprising thing about the album, though, is that Joy is able to shape the vocals we are used to hearing with synthsized pop, and make them equally impressive with a rockier edge. With something for everyone, this album easily is among 2002's best.
RATING: 98%