Brandon Heath's bio reads at first like that of a new country music sensation. He started singing in Nashville at the tender age of 13, studied the greats of singing and songwriting, and finally won an award for being "Best New Artist of the Year" in 2008. There's just one catch -- Brandon Heath's chosen genre is actually contemporary Christian rock, and the award was given to him by the Gospel Music Association. This just goes to show appearances can be deceiving, and if you think you've got Brandon Heath figured out already What If We will be quite a revelation.
The young Heath is clearly a spiritual man, willing to follow God's plan on the thoughtful "Wait And See," but knowing how to rock doesn't take a backseat to his faith. A strong and resonant vocal tone carries over the melody of "Trust You," a song which builds up intensity until settling comfortably into a Fall Out Boy groove a couple minutes in. Heath collaborates with rock band Jars of Clay on "Sore Eyes," a track with the cheerful pop bop of the 1960s meeting today's production techniques. You can even hear a little bit of hip-hop swagger and style in the beat for "Fight Another Day," a song where Heath encourages his listeners to not be afraid of failure because you can always get up and try again.
Brandon Heath doesn't fall comfortably into cliches of his genre, using his strength in the Lord to be positive without coming off preachy or didactic. Put simply, this is good old-fashioned pop music, American Top 40 style. You can file this album in your collection right next to the Jonas Brothers, Hannah Montana and Justin Timberlake. Heath doesn't hide his love for the holy on songs like "When I'm Alone," rather he takes comfort in knowing he's never TRULY alone as long as he continues to have faith. On What If We the young singer will find a legion of fans who will have faith in him to give them hope for a brighter tomorrow through the power of music and love.
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