The Colby Echo

Issue date: 4/23/08 Section: Arts & Entertainment

Media Credit: audiotube.com Lewis' album demonstrates powerful voice.

Leona Lewis, an X Factor winner and chart topper from Britain, has finally delivered her talents to America. She is a passionately emotional singer who has achieved a spot next to the numerous vocally talented females in pop music today. Spirit is an astounding album filled with ballads that will leave even the most practical people looking for romance and all the emotions that come with it. If you've heard the song "Bleeding Love" on the radio you may know what I'm talking about. Spirit delivers the same effect felt from her current smash fourteen more times.

There is something about how Lewis holds herself through the record that is very endearing. The vocals are undoubtedly incredible, but I think what gives the music its special draw is that Lewis' tone consistently sounds as if she is breathing out the emotion at hand. Each song is meant to express sentiment. In perfect fashion, she doesn't hesitate to "tell you so" in "The Best You Never Had" and she opens up with gratefulness in "Footprints In The Sand." The best music comes from artists who can get their voices into character for the particular messages of their songs. Lewis does this with one of the most uniquely powerful voices to appear in the past few years.

Her voice is delectably reverberant and clear, and a large portion of the lyrics is fortunately sung in this fashion. She will often break from this type of singing right into a high trill, and the resulting range is inspiring. She applies power when necessary at the bridges in each song. However, Lewis does need to do a little work on the clearness of her low notes in order to avoid losing the ability to touch the lower levels as her career progresses. It is important to note that appreciation of the skill with which she wields her chosen instrument is a large part of the enjoyment the listener can find from Spirit.

The songs are backed by beats that complement Lewis' skill very well. Most of the songs are not necessarily danceable (I'd like to see what she can do at a faster pace), but all of the background music is modern and pleasurably cadenced. Sounds range from electronic drum hits to the piano. My favorite song from the album is "Forgive Me," and the beat, combined with an uncharacteristic confidence from Ms. Lewis, does make the listener want to get moving. "Whatever It Takes" is another good one. This empowerment song, although relationship based, will make you feel a little better about whatever it is you're worrying about.

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