My Top 40 Albums - #29

#29
Kevin Max - "The Imposter"

Year: 2005
Label: Northern
Favorite songs: Jumpstart Your Electric Heart!, Sanctuary, Confessional Booth, The Imposter, The Royal Path of Life, Your Beautiful Mind
Lyric sample: "If angels were men well then they couldn't fly / If birds had souls they would forever glide / If people would love then more of us would be alive / Oh my my, oh my / If you were me you wouldn't sleep at night // I take back everything I said / That ever caused you pain or stress / I take it back just like that / I take it back just like that"

For those of you who perhaps enjoy Kevin Max's lyrics or vocals but found his first record a bit hard to get into, you are in luck. The Imposter is not only Kevin's best effort to date, but the best thing to come out of any of the dc Talk solo projects. There's no denying that Max is a talent. His voice is versatile, expressive and powerful. If there is one modern artist I would think could rival the likes of Freddy Mercury, it would be K-Max. This record is a fantastic vehicle for him to prove and refine his singing. Take "Sanctuary" for instance - Kevin matches the guitar for a long, crystal clear high note. Even though his vibrato is part of his style, he proves that he isn't dependent on it. Indeed, those who were annoyed by it will find it much less pronounced on The Imposter.

In addition, while the eclectic mix on Stereotype Be was interesting, it alienated some fans who simply weren't prepared for it. This release is much more grounded in modern pop and rock. The sitars and elaborate string arrangements have been traded in for a standard five piece rock band. At least, most of the songs on the record sound like they could be played that way. Even Kevin's voice is given a drier recording without as much reverb. The result is a more organic approach that feels very honest. Not that the songwriting has gone downhill - the riffs and melodies here are much more infectious than anything Max has done before, so there is a lot for listeners to grab onto. And, never one to pigeonholed, just because this is a pop album doesn't mean it is monotonous. "Confessional Booth," the stripped down rocker that starts the record, even features a scream by Kevin. "The Imposter" is almost a dance pop number, its major progression complimented by plenty of synths. "Your Beautiful Mind" is a transparent ballad asking some difficult questions. "Platform" is a subdued, almost jazzy affair, and "The Royal Path of Life" is a little bit blues rock. Only a piano plays beneath Max's voice on "When He Returns,"  and old-styled church tune. All of these different influences and yet the songs all seem to belong to the same project.

Once again I think it should be clear from this album that Max has not abandoned his faith. Normally I wouldn't even bring that up, but as he is known as kind of the wild child of dc Talk and some have questioned his position in the past I feel compelled to mention it. It's not always obvious from the lyrics where he stands, but faith in God is clearly important. Several songs including "Platform" and "Your Beautiful Mind" reveal honest and difficult questions but an ultimate faith that God is real and good. It may concern some that "When He Returns" is a Dylan cover, but taken on their own the lyrics are anything but ambiguous. There are certainly introverted moments, but as a whole the record is quite uplifting. Also, make sure you stick around for the hidden track. It's one of the more enjoyable rock tracks on the disc.