Wes King - A Room Full Of Stories

Reviewed by Philip Croft

In a recent interview Wes said about some of the songs on this album, "I was so overwhelmed by emotions that I didn't start with either a lyric idea or a chord structure, but just picked up the guitar and started singing." I'm sure that Wes is sincere in his words; the problem is though, he is now something of a big name in the CCM scene, which in the US particularly means being FM radio friendly - well produced, free of any rough edges and risk free. Now don't misunderstand me this is not a bad album. I honestly can't name one bad track on it, but to be equally honest, apart from the opening track, "Simplify", I can't name any outstandingly good tracks either. Call me a musical heathen if you want, but I really do believe that it's the rough edges and occasional mistakes that make for greatness. Wes King obviously has real talent and song writing ability but lavish budgets and overproduction seem to have rather stifled some of the spontaneity. Still, Wes is a very fine songwriter and his growing legion of fans will find much to enjoy here.