Tye Tribbett & G.A.

by Debra Akins

“Explosive” might be the best word to describe both the career of contemporary gospel singer/songwriter Tye Tribbett and the opening strains of his brand new album, StandOUT on Columbia Records/Integrity Music. Tribbett and his musical ensemble, G.A. (Greater Anointing) have made some serious waves in the music industry since his national debut in 2004. Having performed with a host of pop and gospel superstars like Faith Hill, Justin Timberlake, Mary J. Blige, Timbaland, Donnie McClurkin, Israel Houghton and others, it was at a showcase for another artist that Tribbett and members of G.A. happened to catch the ear of Sony label exec Tommy Mottola. And the rest, as they say, is history.

StandOUT is the first new full-length album from Tribbett & G.A. since the groundbreaking Victory Live! entered the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart at No. 1 in May 2006. The crossover project hit Billboard’s Top 200 Albums chart while also earning Tribbett two Stellar Awards and three GRAMMY Award nominations for Best Gospel Performance, Best Gospel Song (“Victory”) and Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album.

So, needless to say, this guy has got the goods! And he more than lives up to his previous efforts by pushing the boundaries of contemporary gospel yet again with StandOUT, a collection of songs all written or co-written by Tribbett. The explosive title cut kicks off the album with a high-octane, energetic battle cry that should be a crowd-pleaser. But as strong as it is musically, it’s not even the best track on the album. Tribbett’s talent as a musical director is evident on the highly contagious Hold On and Bless The Lord, with its electric guitars and alternating time signatures. It’s on these cleverly-crafted numbers that Tribbett shines, backed by the impressively tight vocals and harmonies of the G.A. members.

Recorded live at Rock Church International in Virginia Beach, StandOUT has the feel of a huge arena experience, but still manages to deliver a celebration of worship with the medley of Hallelujah/Let Us Worship/So Amazing. And the project comes complete with guest performances throughout, including gospel great Kim Burrell’s vocal acrobats on the traditional gospel-infused He Has Made Me Glad, along with Angela White and Kierra “Kiki” Sheard on the smooth groove Look Up.

Other “stand-out” (pun intended) tracks include one of Tribbett’s favorites, I Need You, a powerful ballad that builds and crescendos to the end, setting the stage for the tender Chasing After You. Complete with its acoustic guitar background, Tribbett is joined by guest vocalist Aaron Camper on this track, one of the album’s prettiest offerings.

StandOUT’s weakest moments (and they are few and far between) may be on numbers like Prodigal, with its angry, aggressive guitars, and the theatrical-turned-foot-stomping gospel romp I Made It Through. Both of these tracks can get lyrically muddied in their attempts to tell a story, breaking up the flow of the rest of the album to some degree. But even in saying that, it’s evident here too that Tribbett’s musical abilities are strong in the way he skillfully tackles such musically diverse challenges head on.

Tribbett & G.A. definitely have another winner here with StandOUT. This team holds nothing back, continually pushing the boundaries of the contemporary gospel genre. There is no doubt this album will be another chart-topper, and rightfully so.

tyetribbett.com
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