Beyond The Turntable

BarlowGirl is a unique band for several reasons--they're an all-girl band, and also an all-sister band. They despise the typical current fashions, encouraging modesty and purity. Perhaps most unusually, they were famous years before their first CD came out, thanks to the songBarlow Girls, written by Superchic[k] back in 2001. Their debut CD offers fun pop-rock tunes with a good message that targets my daughters (ages 10-19), but I don't mind listening to their music. At times they remind me of Rachel Rachel, an all-girl Christian rock band that I enjoyed in the early 90s.

I lost a little enjoyment when I discovered that while the Barlow sisters wrote all of the songs and sang, they didn't play much on the CD, if at all. Barry Graul from MercyMe takes care of the guitars, Mike Radcliffe plays drums, and producer Otto Price plays bass on virtually all of the songs. Their father Vince even added some acoustic guitar to the project. It's still an enjoyable CD and hopefully the girls will play most of the instruments on their next CD. (NOTE: I received emails from two of the musicians on the project explaining that the credits were somewhat misleading. Becca played guitar with Barry on all of the songs, while Alyssa played bass and Lauren played drums on over half of the songs.)

The band's stand on modesty is clearly stated in Clothes:

Don't want to be a model / They can't eat anyway / That kind of attention will fade with the day / So I'll stand up and say // Clothes that fit are fine / Won't show what's mine / Don't change my mind / I'll be fine

It might not be high art, but it's a good message for teen girls. The band's Christian message shines through on songs like You Led Me and She Walked Away, among many others.

BarlowGirl will appeal to fans of pop rock and Superchic[k]. If you have a daughter in the 10-15 age range, you should go buy this CD immediately. The Barlows look like much better role models than most young women in the public eye, and the music is fun and positive as well.

Visit: BarlowGirl and Fervent Records.