When you listen to this sweet-voiced foursome, it's still hard to get aural images of
Wilson Phillips out of your mind, but it's nice to know that a girl group can still achieve such powerful emotions via harmony-driven songs. They've earned an astonishing 21 consecutive number one hit singles and have five gold albums, communicating their love of God in ways that range from rock with a bluesy edge (like the anthemic rabble-rouser "Praise Forevermore") to simple, breathy cards of encouragement ("You'll Never Walk Alone," "He Sends His Love"). "Blue Skies" is a bit simplistic lyrically, but the edgy rock guitars are enhanced with a soaring orchestra, giving the tune major inspirational power. The one genre POG hasn't entered often enough is R&B; the opening track features a gently throbbing groove that is borderline hip-hop. Their best songs always feature the four voices all the way through, but on occasion, one of the ladies takes the lead before the rest chime in, as on "All That I Need." Not a bad little tune, but it's wimpy compared to the power pop of the one that follows it ("Something So Good"). What a unique dilemma -- having so much good material on each album that the songs that don't stand out seem dull by comparison. The liner material mentions that POG exists to "celebrate the triumph of Jesus Christ." And in so doing, they are creating some of CCM's most triumphant and uplifting music. ~ Jonathan Widran