Reviews

Kirk Franklin - The Fight Of My Life

Flowing on the sophisticated urban tip a la Earth, Wind, & Fire, Hide Me calls us to stand tall even when life depicts unfair moments: “So easy to complain, but complain don’t make it change.

He Will Supply , which could pass as a long-lost church treasure is actually another Franklin original, as his vocal crew captures raw, unassuming church service spreading all over the recording studio walls. Franklin bridges hip-hip blips, old-school R&B jewels with pure female voices, and a children’s choir calling out the name of Jesus.

The near shattering volume driving I Am God is right down featured vocalist Toby Mac’s territory, but there are fragile strokes during the song’s breakdown as Franklin depicts a ping-pong match with the mind: “I gotta get out (there’s no way out).”

Eleven-year-old Donavan Owens represents the child’s perspective on A Whole Nation, regarding missing and irresponsible parents: “it’s a million of ya’ll and only one of me.” Owens also delivers a secure vocal performance, whether soloing or running the vocal vamps.

I Like Me finds Franklin and Da’ T.R.U.T.H. (Cross Movement recording artist) exchanging words of encouragement playfully on the serious subject of self-esteem.

Three lead vocalists convey feverish tension surrounding Chains, a heavy-duty torch song about breaking cycles of depression, divorce, and the like, backed by a lush strings and smoky blues rhythm section.

The above are the highlights amongst a fifteen-song extravaganza that many critics are calling Franklin’s best opus since The Family projects. This is no surprise since his strongest asset is developing riveting choral interpretations and presentations. A versatile vocal band, including Nikki Ross, Myron Butler and even R&B soloist Anthony Evans, handle anything coming in their direction. Occasionally, there’s a bit too much flash, such as portions of I Am God. Yet Franklin should be commended for holding back his flamboyant personality at times, straying from sample-heavy traps, and lyrics that cling to God’s sovereignty in the fight of our lives.

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