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Carried Away, a new pop trio from Canada, but siblings Colleen and Pam Walker and their cousin Christine Prankard almost picked other professions over music. The sisters were leaning toward photography and teaching, and their cousin simply wasn't interested in becoming a full-time recording artist. Music was just something they did "on the side," but they still scored a slot opening for Point of Grace at a local gig, and soon were playing at churches across the country. After time on the road and a friendship with producer Otto Price (BarlowGirl, GRITS), they went full-time and recorded Closer to You.

The threesome play their own instruments for a pleasing batch of catchy teen pop. "I Will Live for You" kicks off the disc with worshipful lyrics and a combination of breezy guitars, a meaty drumbeat and a spaceship-like sample. It paves the way for the aggressive build of "Lift" and its message of praise. A highlight comes midway through the disc during "Carried Away," a cover of the Sonicflood song that features its original singer Jeff Deyo offering a fresh take on a seven-year-old classic.

The group generally doesn't write their own material, but performs tunes penned by the likes of Deyo, Price and Wilshire. Carried Away's three originals—"I Know," "Alive" and "Spinning Around"—may not match the quality of the others, but still demonstrate a sincere faith with depth. "Spinning Around" is the most impressive, centering around themes of forgiveness with lines like, "In this game that I play I can never win/Will you be my strength as I get back up again?" The group has room to grow (particularly in songwriting), but they've pulled off an energetic and amiable debut.

© Andy Argyrakis, subject to licensing agreement with Christianity Today International. All rights reserved. Click for reprint information.

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