In the Christian music world, there are plenty of male vocalists looking to showcase their talents and prove they can make a statement. Recently, Backstreet Boy Brian Littrell's solo venture and the continuation of Michael W. Smith's impressive career have shown that many male vocalists can have staying power in the industry. Daniel Kirkley hopes to leave his own mark, and hopefully prove his own with his debut album, Let Love Win.

With a sound that partially mimics secular music icon Josh Groban, Kirkley has the makings of a decent debut, with songs like "Lay It Down," that speak of trust in God, and "Heavenly," which talks about the strength and power of the love of Christ. Other highlights include the powerful album opener "My New Dawn," the intricate and melodic sounds of "Everyday People," and the title track. Other than thought-provoking lyrics in a few songs, there really isn't anything that sets Kirkley's debut apart from the other male vocalists in his genre. The orchestration is reminiscent of newer Michael W. Smith stylings, and much of it sounds like it has been done many, many times before.

Fans of the genre will find plenty to enjoy about Let Love Win, and Josh Groban fans may see the correlations between the two. But if you're in the market for a new male voice to make a statement with originality, you may not find it here. I'd wait and see what the rest of the year holds.

- Review date: 6/15/07, written by Justin Mabee