Karen Peck & New River “Good Answers” Album Review
Prime Cuts: That's What Faith Looks Like, Always For You; River of Life
Overall Grade: 4/5
Five-time Grammy-nominated and multi-Dove Award-winning Southern Gospel group Karen Peck & New River (KPNR) continues its legacy of heartfelt, faith-driven music with its 13th studio album, Good Answers. Inspired by the final words of Karen and Susan's mother-"God gives good answers"-this deeply personal project blends emotional storytelling with powerful vocal harmonies.
The album was greeted by early success when lead single "Be Ready" reached #1 on the Southern Gospel charts. Featuring blasting horns and Karen's feisty vocals, "Be Ready" is an uplifting kicker that reminds us about the imminent return of our Savior. Backed only by a piano, the intro to "River of Life" is stunning as KPNR invite listeners to lay their weary souls at the river of life. Their rendition of Charity Gayle's worship favorite, "I Speak Jesus," adds a Southern Gospel and choral feel to the original, delivering a unique and inspiring version.
Fans who love the pentad's ballads will adore "That's What Faith Looks Like." This ballad is a powerful sermon painted with realism by presenting lots of true-to-life vignettes of struggling people putting their faith in God in moments of despair. The orchestrated-backed "Always for You" is an antidote to those with wavering faith. "Nail-Scarred Hands," a bit on the generic-sounding side, finds the team gloriously revisiting the theme of the cross of Jesus.
The prickly topic of unanswered prayer is addressed in the title cut "Good Answers." A bluesy-country offering, "Good Answers" finds KPNR endeavoring us to persevere in prayer. Good Answers may not chart new ground, but it is a consistently balanced record with messages that come across better than most sermons out there.
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