LABEL: SPARROW
RELEASE DATE: JANUARY 24, 2011

n 2009, Kari Jobe exploded onto the music scene with her self-titled debut album. It was all in the voice. That voice- that ridiculously fine soprano- had us from the get-go. So, it came as no surprise when Jobe won a Dove for her Spanish album “Le Canto”. But having to wait so long for a sophomore release… that was unexpected; the new direction that Kari seems to be taking, for me, that was totally unanticipated.

Her second English release Where I Find You is certain to be a hit with fans of Kari Jobe everywhere. This is mainly because of her distinctive vocal range and delivery. There is something undeniably powerful about a voice that can carry an entire song on its own; listening to “What Love Is This” only confirms this. Even after only a few tracks from the project, only a fool would not recognise the gift that Jobe has.

However, I feel that in an effort to appeal to an even wider audience, in a push for a more poppy and accessibly sound, some of the aesthetic purity that made Jobe’s debut so successful has been sacrificed. The strongest points of Where I Find You are those which have developed what worked from the first project and taken it further. The closer “Here” is one such song.

Yet, with the selection of “We Are” as her first single, Kari Jobe has chosen to embrace a more conventional approach to music-making. There is nothing wrong with the positive, up-beat song about being the light of the world, but it lacks some of the artistic flair that we know Jobe is capable of. The opener is similarly disappointing. Although “Steady My Heart” starts well, it falls back to the same, tired type of composition. Again, nothing is wrong per se with the song, it just fails to hold my attention for the entirety of its three-and-a-half minute course. The album as a whole failed to hold my attention.  Nothing struck me as particularly unique. The quality of the song did not meet Jobe’s matchless voice.

Nevertheless, Where I Find You is not without its bright spots. Jobe collaborated with Matt Maher performing a beautiful duet on “We Exalt Your Name” and also worked with fellow Dove winner Chris August on “Stars in the Sky”.  “Find You On My Knees” is a standout track full of all the passion that Kari Jobe is famous for.

Disappointments only occur when expectations are not met. I came hoping for more of the power of the debut album, and I don’t think that was delivered. However, Kari Jobe definitely has matured as an artist and has shown she is unafraid of experimenting and trying something new. All I can hope for is that she will cultivate her talents with the creativity we all know she is capable of, as I’m sure in the future, she is set to play a pivotal role.