Anyone familiar with the work of Kevin Max knows that he always seems to have a flashy trick up his sleeve. Be it a new book of poetry (Unfinished Work, coming this fall from Thomas Nelson publishing), a pithy saying at a concert, or an unmistakable vocal line during a solo, Kevin keeps his audience guessing. For some reason I thought his first solo album, Stereotype Be, would prove an exception to this rule. On August 28th, you'll be able to go to your local CD store and see just how wrong I was. This album is incredible.

The album starts off buzzing with 'Return of the Singer,' a track from Solo, which was released under the dc Talk moniker to promote each member's solo endeavors. Choppy electric ambiance opens the song and combines with eastern melodies and rock rhythms to create a truly unique sound. Throw in the vibrating glitter of Max's voice and the song really takes off.

'Existence,' the second track on the album, incorporates several exotic instruments, including a sitar. Full of pop stylings, the melody of this song stands out and sticks in your head. I'm certain this one will do well on the radio. The most surprising thing to dc Talk fans in this song will probably be the two (count 'em, two) rap sections it contains. Max calmly performs one of them like a beatnik in a coffee house, and the other is performed by Coffee from the band Grits.

The melodies that truly stand out on this album are two back-to-back songs tucked away near the end. The first, 'On and On,' is a love song Max sang on his small solo tour of America two years ago. The chorus contains candidly beautiful images that send chills down my spine: "On and on, we dance until the song is off the radio / on and on, we hold each other long after the crowd is gone / on and on, our love goes on and on."

The second stand-out melody on this disc, and the spot where Max's genius shines, is the song 'Her Game.' This song didn't actually catch me the first time I heard it, but I think now that I must not have been listening. The melody in this song is so incredibly beautiful (especially the phrase that starts the song), I had a hard time believing that Max wrote it. It immediately reminded me of Paul McCartney's best music (probably one of the highest compliments I can give to any pop composer) and I thought it must be a cover of another band's one-hit-wonder song. The first thirty seconds of this track make the hair on the back of my neck stand up almost every time I hear it. You absolutely must hear this song! Turn it up; it sounds best when it's loud.

The talent of Kevin Max is a pleasant surprise on this album. I'm even more impressed that his music is not his only pursuit. His un-sung poetry graces the album on more than one track. Not only would I strongly recommend this album to any Kevin Max or dc Talk fan, but I would recommend it to any pop, rock or poetry lover in general. Stereotype Be is a work of art brimming with confidence, style, beauty and intrigue.

~Josh L.