Artist Info:Discography Album length: 14 tracks: 43 minutes, 36 minutes Street Date: October 4, 2005
Aly & AJ, Hollywood Records new pop sister duo, barely need an introduction
despite Into the Rush being the girls' debut project. After all, these teenagers have been
spotted on several television shows and heard on movie soundtracks such as Disney's Ice Princess.
To top that off, both of the girls have been singing as well as playing guitar and piano for almost
a decade now. And with their increasing media exposure, the time seems right for Into the Rush
to hit shelves in the Christian market.
Given the huge popularity of "teen pop" at the moment, Into the Rush will most likely
be a success. Opening track "Rush" displays the aforementioned sound with verses that vocally sound
of an early Joy Williams and a chorus that rings of teen superstar Hilary Duff. "Collapsed" and
"Something More" also have the potential to hit it off well with the RadioDisney crowd. In fact, the
RadioDisney appeal abounds on this project with only a few exceptions, such as "On the Ride" which is
musically reminiscent of Natalie Grant's "Live For Today." To add a bit more mainstream attraction,
Into The Rush features cover of hits "Do You Believe In Magic?" and "Walking On Sunshine,"
but neither stray all that far from the originals. Despite being home to fifteen tracks, once Into
the Rush finally finishes its course, very few of the songs actually stand out.
There's no denying Aly & AJ are talented - the girls reportedly write their own songs and are
both multi-instrumentalists. Nonetheless, Into the Rush's major pitfall seems to be in the
lack of lyrical substance. "Out of the Blue" states "Don't you have the guts to say how you feel
about me," which could have been a feeble attempt to create a vague spiritual reference if it
were to seem God was the one singing that line as a reminder that Christians must be bold about
their faith. However, all chances of that were completely washed away with "I have to get over you...
Taking the call on the telephone/ Don't even know if you're at home." Even more similar lyrical
content ensues with "Your message on the phone/ I save to hear when I'm all alone" ("Something More").
So many of the other tracks are the same way - rhyming well, but saying next to nothing. That's not
to say every single tune here is that way. "I Am One Of Them" is a rarity, which deals head-on with
the fear of kidnapping that fills many homes across the world. Overall, though not objectionable,
Into the Rush's lyrical content contains very little deep meaning.
Aly & AJ had the amazing potential to present themselves as the Christian alternative to pop
stars such as Hilary Duff among many others. Unfortunately, these sisters did not take this opportunity,
but rather found themselves simply among the typical Radio Disney fare. Of course if this is what
they were shooting for, then they have more than succeeded in their efforts.
- Review date: 10/8/05, written by Lauren Summerford
Record Label: Hollywood Records
Album length: 15 tracks, 43 minutes and 36 minutes
Street Date: October 4, 2005
Buy It:JfH Music Store
Record Label: Hollywood Records
