|
Posted:July 10, 2007
Subject: Brian Littrell imitating his Backstreet brothers
Source: N/A
Thanks: Kayla via BriansBabyDuck at LD
A video from Japan of Brian imitating the rest of the guys. He flexes his muscles to be Kevin and sings,"Nobody but you."
click here to view the video on YouTube.
Posted:July 10, 2007
Subject: Brian Littrell add's Arvella Schuller Award to growing list of accolades
Source: CMSpin
Thanks: Kayla
Brian Littrell, Reunion recording artist and member of the Backstreet Boys, added another award to his ever-growing list of accolades with the recent presentation of the Arvella Schuller Award, given by the Crystal Cathedral Academy in Garden Grove, Calif. Littrell accepted the award in recognition of the lives he has impacted as a positive role-model with his music in the global pop and Christian markets, combined with the countless lives he has touched through his foundation, the Brian Littrell Healthy Heart Club for Kids. Recipients of this award are selected by a committee that looks at the events of the past year and evaluates who has made a notable stand in the media for Christ, positive family values, or who has overcome incredible difficulties and stood strong in their walk with Christ. Since this award is dedicated at a school event, the candidates must have a commitment to encouraging children to succeed in their dreams. Past recipients of this award include Dr. Laura Schlesinger, Tommy Lasorda, John Tesh, David Phelps, Russ Lee, Nita Whitaker, Don Lafontaine, Ted Zigenbush, Lauren Kitchens, Dorothy Benham, Laura Wilkerson, and many others. Brian Littrell is widely known as a 14-year member of the legendary pop group Backstreet Boys. He has contributed to worldwide sales in excess of 80 million records and has amassed legions of fans around the globe. The 2006 release of his first solo album, Welcome Home, revealed Littrell’s heart and recognizes his source of greatest hope. He was recently presented with the President’s Volunteer Service Award recognizing his work with the Healthy Heart Club for Kids and other volunteer efforts. He also received the 2006 Dove Award for Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year for his No. 1 hit “In Christ Alone.” Littrell has just finished the first-ever multi-artist “Glory Revealed Tour,” based on the album project of the same name. The project’s first single featuring Littrell, “By His Wounds,” spent an astonishing eleven weeks at No. 1 on the Inspirational radio chart. In the midst of this recent success, he also co-hosted the 38th Annual GMA Dove Awards, which is presently airing in syndication around the country. He is currently writing music for his next solo album and recording the next Backstreet Boys album. The Brian Littrell Healthy Heart Club for Kids educates children and their families regarding the benefits of adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle. Through education, promotion, and caring, the Brian Littrell Healthy Heart Club for Kids fulfills its mission of nurturing heart-conscious families while being instrumental in creating healthier communities. Littrell suffered with a heart ailment as a child and started this organization to help other cardiac patients.
Posted: May 30, 2007
Subject: Centennial Celebration
Source: frederickco.gov
Thanks: Kayla
RMCC joins the Town of Frederick in sponsoring a Centennial Celebration event on Saturday, June 9. We'll provide exciting musical talent in concert, staging, sound and lights. Entertainment will run throughout the day, ending with a capstone concert beginning at 5:00 p.m. and a spectacular fireworks display to cap-off the evening! The capstone concert will feature Brian Littrell of the Backstreet Boys, Mandisa (American Idol finalist), The Katinas. Plus, our very own Dee Rohrbaugh and Sarah Lloyd will be perform as well! All activities are free to the public. The celebration takes place at Centennial Park, south of 8th Street in Frederick. We are pleased to be part of this significant event as we seek to bless our communities. Click here for more info.
Posted: February 5, 2007
Subject: Video of Glory Revealed
Source: Brian's MySpace
Thanks: --
You need Quicktime to view this video. Click here to watch the video.
Posted: February 2, 2007
Subject: Brian Littrell Voted CCM Best Artist And Best Album 2006
Source: Brian's MySpace
Thanks: --
CCM Magazine readers voted Brian Littrell “Best Artist” this year and his highly acclaimed solo debut, Welcome Home (Reunion), as “Best Album.” We recently caught up with Brian for a chat, and, while you’re listening, enter to win an autographed copy of Welcome Home, along with a T-shirt and an autographed copy of the January 2007 CCM Magazine Readers’ Choice Awards issue! Click here to enter and click here to see the podcast.
Posted: February 2, 2007
Subject: StarShine Announces 2007 Readers’ Choice Nominees
Source: starshinemag.com
Thanks: Mike
StarShine Magazine starts 2007 off with their 5th annual Readers’ Choice Awards! The nominees are in and with three new categories, and a more diverse line-up, this is predicted to be StarShine’s biggest voting turn-out yet. This year’s candidates offer a diverse taste of what the magazine has to offer ranging from unsigned artists to best selling ones to fan favorites. R&B/Pop Universal recording artist JoJo leads the pack once again, this time with 8 nods, breaking her previous record from last year. Following JoJo’s lead is country superstar Gretchen Wilson and new Christian artist, Backstreet Boy Brian Littrell. Both artists have 7 nominations. Voting for the 2007 StarShine Readers’ Choice Awards begins February 15th on www.starshinemag.com and polls will be open until March 25th. Nominees were chosen by the staff of StarShine Magazine based on the popularity of artists on the website and in the e-zine between July 2005 and December 2006. Winners will be selected strictly by who receives the most votes submitted into the official voting ballot on starshinemag.com. For more information on StarShine and the Readers’ Choice Awards, contact: Sandy Lo Grasso
Brian is nominated in the following categories:
Best Ballad: Gone Without Goodbye
Best Remake or Sample: In Christ Alone
Favorite Male Artist
Best New Artist
Song of the Year: Welcome Home
Album of the Year: Welcome Home
Artist of the Year
Posted: January 12, 2007
Subject: Air dates for Gifted on TBN
Source: myspace
Thanks: Misha
Janury 26th @ 10pm EST - 2 hour Special
5 min. clips every day @ 8:25 PM EST
Mondays @ 1pm EST - 30 min. shows
You can also view the shows online at tbn.org
Posted: January 12, 2007
Subject: Happy New Year to everyone from Brian Littrell
Source: brianlittrell.com
I want to know, how many of you (like myself) have had the same New Years resolutions for the past three or four years?
Yep I know you hear me. A resolution is to resolve or to do away with, and start something new. Let's look at two things, our hears and our attitudes. I want to encourage you to attack this year with a loving and compationate heart. In doing this you will be the servant that God wants you to be. Also, in doing this, you will discover new joys in your life that only God can give. It's funny how when you do what God wants you to do, your attitude changes about everything. I find myself more positive about life than ever before because I know I'm doing what God called me to do. If you do anything this year, I encourage you to seek God's will for your life, you'll find that God's will and your will are not that far apart!!! Have a blessed and wonderful new heart, attitude, and year! - Brian 1/10/07
Posted: December 19, 2006
Subject: Brian's Detroit performance
Source: N/A
Click here to watch Brian perform the National Anthem in Detroit.
Posted: December 19, 2006
Subject: Brian Littrell wraps up Xmas tour
Source: christiantoday.com
Renowned gospel artists Rebecca St. James and Brian Littrell wrapped up “The Christmas Tour” yesterday, a concert billed as ‘a night of acoustic Christmas’ during an eight city tour. “I’ve been a born-again Christian since I was eight years old and I’ve known for a very long time that my main objective is to spread God’s word,” notes Littrell whose introduction as part of the five member Backstreet Boys re-defined the term ‘pop music phenomenon’ with their 1997 launch. “God has allowed me through the Backstreet Boys to minister in a positive way, encouraging people to stand up for what they believe. I’m looking forward to this tour. I have utmost respect for Rebecca, her ministry and music,” he said prior to the tour. Littrell's success with the group Backstreet Boys has set the stage for his launch as a solo artist in Christian music and the spring ‘06 debut of his Christian album release Welcome Home.
Posted: December 8, 2006
Subject: Free concert for the troops
Source: wtgs.com
Brian Littrell, of pop sensation the Backstreet Boys, is teaming up with the Parish Church of St. Helena to help bring the true message of Christmas to local members of the military and their families. On Monday, December 18, Brian Littrell - along with Dove-award winners Avalon - will perform "an evening of acoustic Christmas songs and favorites" at the Lyceum on Parris Island. The event, which begins at 7:00 p.m., is being organized jointly by the Youth and Military Commissions of St. Helena's.
Posted: November 10, 2006
Subject: 2007 GMA Dove Awards to be hosted by Brian Littrell
Source: N/A
The Gospel Music Association (GMA) today announced that the 38th Annual GMA Dove Awards (www.doveawards.com) will be presented on Wednesday, April 25, 2007 (8:00-10:00 p.m. CST) at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tenn., hosted by Dove-winning artists Natalie Grant, Brian Littrell and Donnie McClurkin and broadcast in national syndication during the month of May. Tickets for the live show will go on sale through Ticketmaster.com on Friday, December 1, 2006. GMA's Dove Awards is Christian and gospel music's biggest night of the year, where top artists from every style of gospel music come together for a national night of music and celebration as the GMA bestows the industry's highest honor -- the Dove Award. Nominations for the awards will be announced on February 20, 2007. "Six months out, everything is already falling into place for a fantastic Dove Awards show in 2007. Natalie, Brian and Donnie make a striking trio of hosts who will be engaging, smart and entertaining and we are excited each accepted our invitation to host the show," said John W. Styll, president of the GMA. "Also, our television syndication plan is well underway, and in terms of broadcast confirmations, we are already well ahead of last year. There's a building enthusiasm for the GMA Dove Awards just as the national spotlight on Christian and gospel music's positive impact on our country and culture continues to radiate."
Posted: October 25, 2006
Subject: Brian makes Canadian solo appearance
Source: newswire.ca
Backstreet Boys' pop superstar Brian Littrell makes first Canadian solo appearance in Toronto to perform inspirational Christian music from his award-winning Gospel album. Littrell shares songs that represent what he believes with Christian and secular fans at intimate venue. Brian Littrell, member of The Backstreet Boys, one of pop music's best-selling super-groups, will be in Toronto on Saturday, November 4, 2006, for his debut Canadian concert as a solo Gospel artist. Littrell's first Canadian solo performance will take place at the Elmer S. McVety Centre, at 50 Gervais Drive (Eglinton and Don Mills), in Toronto, Ontario, at 7:30 pm. Only one concert is scheduled. Tickets range in price from $30 for the main floor, to $25 for balcony seating. The intimate venue seats approximately 2,000 and is expected to be sold out. Steve Burchell, Director of Events for the Elmer S. McVety Centre said, "We were elated when Brian accepted our invitation to come to Toronto to share the deep soul perspective of music that he created for the church, as well as mainstream audiences that are longtime fans." To purchase tickets Visit ticketwindow.ca or call 1-877-700-3130.
Posted: September 29, 2006
Subject: Brian Littrell helps salute the troops
Source: 4Allstars.org
Brian Littrell of the superstar pop group Backstreet Boys, has agreed to serve as a celebrity spokesperson for the 2006 World's Largest Thanksgiving Dinner. This nationwide, student-run, community-service project, sponsored by America's All Stars, will raise money for children and families affected by the war. Proceeds will go to the USO. Brian Roquemore, founder of America's All Stars, states, "We are very pleased that although Brian is extremely busy with the release of his solo album, 'Welcome Home,' he accepted our invitation to serve as a spokesperson. Through this event, Brian is able to create a positive and lasting impact on young people across America." All schools in America are being encouraged to download the Dinner Planning Guide and organize the "World's Largest Thanksgiving Dinner" to honor and thank (at Thanksgiving) all veterans from WWII to the present. The dinners will be held in school cafeterias nationwide on the same day, November 16, 2006, the Thursday BEFORE Thanksgiving. America's All Stars is dedicated to building and strengthening character and patriotism in America's youth. This is accomplished by creating various programs and services that serve to challenge millions of young people nationwide. In addition to building and strengthening character, these programs and services help youth better understand the work ethic and the duties and responsibilities of citizenship. For more information, visit: 4Allstars.org.
Posted: September 29, 2006
Subject: Backstreet's back, all right?
Source: news2wkrn
Congrats to the young turks at Creative Artists Agency, who raised $20,000 for the Nashville Rescue Mission at Wednesday night's first ever The Young Nashville Party. For some reason, they let my less-than-young self in, and I ran into Backstreet Boy-turned-Christian artist Brian Littrell. Brian was here to do an online show for Country Music Television (CMT). In addition to songs from his new contemporary Christian album, Brian threw in a cover of Tim McGraw hit Don't Take the Girl.
Do what? A boy band popster is covering a country song? Turns out Brian is a Kentucky native and he's crazy for the country.
Wonder if he's gonna enter my CMA Ultimate Country Fan contest.
Posted: September 11, 2006
Subject: Candle lit gathering for Kentucky Comair Flight 5191
Source: kentucky.net
Lexington native Brian Littrell, a gospel singer and a member of a former pop music group, the Backstreet Boys, prefaced his vocals by saying he was "very grateful" to have been invited. "God has laid a lot of things on my heart," Littrell said. "My mother asked me what I was going to say and I told her, 'God's going to give me the words. I don't have the wisdom, but he does.'" Littrell said he found the words on his mother's devotional for yesterday: "The way is long, let us go together. The way is difficult, let us help each other. The way is joyful, let us share it." He then sang Gone Without Goodbye ("I can feel the pain/ looking into the eyes/ But I don't know gone without goodbye") and Welcome Home (You).
Posted: July 21, 2006
Subject: Welcome Home Review
Source: charleston.net
Thanks: Nickname
I was unprepared for the material that awaited me on "Welcome Home," the new CD by Brian Littrell. I expected the former Backstreet Boy to simply rehash the pre-packaged boy band pop music that made him rich and famous. Instead, I found myself listening to a Christian rock album recorded by an artist who is obviously a very different person away from his former group. Every track on "Welcome Home" features some sort of nod to God, a move that usually relegates the artist to the Christian music section of the record store. You know the place, that dusty bin in the corner where the inspirational music sits, hoping to be heard over the less-than-Christian pop releases. The music is reminiscent of that of Littrell's former band, but the biggest surprise about Littrell's work is how sincere and good most of it is. This isn't a clever ploy to appeal to an untapped legion of potential Backstreet Boys fans. Instead, Littrell has released a collection of songs that trumpet his faith, and yet at the same time doesn't clobber the listener over the head with his ideas and views. If more Christian rock acts followed Littrell's example, that dusty corner might get a little more traffic. (B+) Download These: "The Answer is You," "Welcome Home (You)," "Gone Without Goodbye."
Posted: June 5, 2006
Subject: Welcome Home" Review
Source: LA Weekly
Thanks: Mike
Nick Lachey would seem like a real grown-up if it weren’t for Brian Littrell, the Backstreet Boy whose new Welcome Home closes with an a cappella rendering of “Jesus Loves You” introduced by Littrell’s chirping son Baylee. “I want to live my life so differently because of faith,” Littrell sings in the opener, “My Answer Is You,” and so he does: Welcome Home jettisons the dewy dance beats and sly sexual innuendo that made the Backstreets the big daddies of the boy-band scene in favor of bland (but not powerless) contemporary-gospel tunes about “learning the ways of a carpenter’s son.” It’s barely recognizable as the work of a former boy bander, which may be these guys’ ultimate goal.
Posted: June 5, 2006
Subject: He wants it God's way!
Source: Palm Beach Post/Leslie Streeter
Thanks: Kayla
Brian Littrell was always my favorite Backstreet Boy (and yes, I am admitting that I had a favorite Backstreet Boy. Back off.). He had one of the better, less nasally voices (hi, Nick Carter!), and he always seemed to understand how silly the whole "pretty boys dancing in unison in matching outfits" thing could be. Which made him cooler. So now Brian's first solo album is out, and let me assure you that he's not singing about everybody rocking their body, like he did with BSB. That's because "Welcome Home" is a Christian album, and it's the least cheesy thing he has ever done. Seriously.
A couple of years ago he did a remake of Michael English's soultastic "In Christ Alone," and while Brian obviously had the pipes to carry it off, the song had this plastic, manicured hesitancy that made it very pretty and really blah. And gospel should not be blah. That was half the problem with the Christian contemporary music of the 80s and 90s - it was so worried about being squeaky clean, it had bleached all the passion out of it, so it was boring and preachy and colorless. Gee, can I buy that? Not. Surprise! "Welcome Home," while occassionally slick, has this joy in it, this freedom and maturity in the vocals that makes it a pleasure to listen to - check out "My Answer Is You," the 9/11 weeper "Gone Without Goodbye" or the title track. It's like Simon Cowell says - you sing better if you sing like you believe what you're singing. And it sounds like Brian does.
Posted: May 4, 2006
Subject: Christian Music Today review
Source: Christian Music Today
Thanks: Brenna
Sounds like … the famed Backstreet Boy belting out the sort of Christian adult contemporary attributed to Michael English, 4Him, David Phelps, and Wayne Watson. At a glance … some will appreciate how Littrell's solo debut resembles the AC pop efforts of other Christian vocalists, but others will be disappointed that it lacks the unique personality or "wow" factor expected from a pop superstar. When Christian artists cross over to mainstream music, it's confirmation that their talents have wide appeal, and an opportunity to share their message with a broader audience. But what to expect from a reverse crossover to Christian music? Sometimes it reflects a second chance for artists who failed to connect with secular audiences. However, if we're talking about a big name talent still relevant to the mainstream, then it becomes more a matter of personal expression—acknowledging spiritual roots while offering a testimony of faith. Additionally, one would hope such a talent would bring more experience and artistic credibility to CCM.
Brian Littrell fulfills one of these expectations with Welcome Home, his first foray into Christian music. As one-fifth of the hugely successful Backstreet Boys for the last thirteen years, he played a part in defining the boy band genre that dominated the airwaves in the late '90s. And if you think boy band pop is history, the Boys' 2005 release Never Gone (with the hit single "Incomplete" and subsequent tour) was one reason Littrell had to delay his solo debut. Littrell hasn't left the Boys, but felt God leading him to make more personal music. Having grown up singing in a Baptist church in Kentucky, he had originally planned to study music and youth ministry at Cincinnati Bible College until cousin Kevin Richardson persuaded him to try out for a budding vocal group. And now, the young husband and father returns to the music that was so formative early on, having already won a Gospel Music Award for his cover of Michael English's "In Christ Alone" from 2005's WoW #1's compilation.
Year ago, when Littrell first announced plans to record a Christian album, he expressed a desire to follow in Michael W. Smith's footsteps. Instead, he's embraced more of an inspirational adult contemporary style, very much in the tradition of English, Wayne Watson, and 4Him. Welcome Home is heavy on ballads, but at least there is some contrast in styles thanks to the diversity of the three producers: Dan Muckala (Backstreet Boys, Joy Williams), Billy Mann (Jessica Simpson, Jonathan Pierce), and the team of Mark Kibble and Dave Thomas (Take 6, Mariah Carey). The gospel pop flavor of "You Keep Givin' Me" is a flowing expression of thankfulness resembling classic Larnelle Harris or Russ Taff, while the gently acoustic "Gone Without Goodbye," offering hope to those who've lost a loved one, recalls 4Him or Wes King. And the a cappella simplicity of "Jesus Loves You" is irresistibly carried by Kibble, Thomas, and Littrell (and his son Baylee). Anyone who enjoys highly produced AC Christian pop will find a lot to love here. Welcome Home stays true to the genre, offering a sweeping testimony of faith ("My Answer Is You"), an ode to the ocean-like love of God ("Over My Head"), and a sweet reflection on the blessings of a wife ("Grace of My Life"). The worshipful testimonial "We Lift You Up" benefits from a strong gospel/R&B arrangement featuring excellent drums, piano, and backing choir. With a beautiful voice singing clear expressions of faith over a glossy production, this is exactly the sort of album that certain fans of Christian pop have come to expect.
But that's also the source for criticism. Littrell brings little originality to an album that sounds like any other inspirational pop effort from fifteen to twenty years ago, and though Littrell's vocals are capable, he's no David Phelps, Andy Chrisman, or Clay Aiken. Littrell allegedly spent a few years writing for this project, but there's a surprising lack of personality or introspection in the cookie cutter Christian pop songs (he wrote or co-wrote six of them). The best is "Angels and Heroes" with its shifting rhythmic feel and tonality, building arrangement, and challenging call to serve, but everything else plays out too predictably. Despite industry rumblings about the lack of adult contemporary pop, recent similar releases from Phelps, Chrisman, Mark Harris, and Allen Asbury say otherwise. Perhaps it's less that adult contemporary had become forgotten and more that too much of it has become forgettable. Fans of Littrell or Christian AC won't likely be disappointed—together, they might make Welcome Home a hit. Still, while there's plenty of faith on the album, there's little innovation. A friend describes it like a major baseball player being sent to the minors—and then playing like a minor. Welcome Home is fine for what it is, but would have been more impressive had it offered something comparable to today's pop superstars rather than yesterday's Christian adult contemporary.
Posted: May 4, 2006
Subject: News clip
Source: wkrn.com
Credit: Annie
The Backstreet Boys were, at one time, the biggest boy band of them all and Brian Littrell is a name almost every teenage girl recognizes. These days, Backstreet Boy Littrell is starting a new career in another type of music. Not even dreaming of a career in pop music, Littrell knew from a young age he wanted to be a minister. He went to a bible college to prepare himself for the ministry and even though his face, voice and name were idolized by fans, he said through all of the temptations that stardom brings, he never turned his back on God. “I knew what I wanted out of life. I knew what I stood for. I knew what my faith stood for. I knew what my family represented to me and my faith was not going to be compromised,” he said. Now with a three year old son and fresh off a recent Backstreet Boys Reunion Tour, Littrell has changed his career path. He is now signing with Nashville based Provident Records, releasing his first gospel record. Littrell said he is blessed because God. “When I look at my life and the things He's blessed me with. He's given me the whole world to travel around as a Backstreet Boy and to profess my faith,” he said. That faith has never been more clearly professed than from the new album called ‘Welcome Home’, a title that symbolizes Littrell’s journey through secular music and the return to the music he grew up singing. “I knew how I affected people through music, but little did I know God's plan in my life to give me the stage that he's given me,” he said. Littrell doesn't look back on his days as a Backstreet Boy as anything negative. He said it gave him the opportunityto move to gospel music, with a built-in fan base, eager to hear him again. Reviews of Littrell’s new album have been overwhelmingly good, especially from secular music critics. He also picked up his first Dove Award last month in Nashville for ‘Best Inspirational Song’.
Posted: May 4, 2006
Subject: Backstreet Boy keeps the faith
Source:: United Press International
Credit: Annie
Brian Littrell says he can be a Backstreet Boy and still keep the faith with religious recordings. Littrell's new solo album, "Welcome Home," is a Christian album that hearkens back to the roots of his musical life. He learned to sing in church in Lexington, Ky., and was studying musical ministry when he joined the Backstreet Boys in 1993 at the invitation of his cousin and bandmate Kevin Richardson. "I've really stood my ground about (his faith) through my whole career as a Backstreet Boys," says Littrell. "The (music) industry, they don't like to talk about faith, but I think that showing people my heart and what I'm truly about, I find they respect that. They're not really scared of it." Littrell co-wrote the first single, "Welcome Home (You)." Last year, he had a No. 1 Christian radio single, "In Christ Alone," which was also nominated for a Dove Awards.
Backstreet Boys are scheduled to start recording a new album this summer.
Posted: May 4, 2006
Subject: Billboard review
Source:: billboard.com
Credit: Brenna
If Welcome Home is just judged on its sonic merits, it would be hard to distinguish this album from many other slick, sweet contemporary Christian releases, but it stands out from the pack for one simple reason: it's the solo debut album from Brian Littrell, one of the five members of the Backstreet Boys. Breaking away from that mega-successful boy band, Littrell has decided to revamp his image, if not entirely his sound, by dedicating himself to Christian music. Since many modern CCM albums aren't that far removed, at least in production terms, from mainstream pop, it's an easy transition for Littrell, and Welcome Home would be equally at home on either CCM or adult contemporary radio, since its smooth, polished surfaces go down easily. There's a preponderance of ballads here, balanced by the occasional surging anthem like "I'm Alive" and insistent pop tunes like "My Answer Is You," but there's not a great distance between these extremes. All the songs blend together pleasantly, and if no individual song particularly distinguishes itself -- the smooth jazz vibe of "We Lift You Up" comes the closest -- they do all fit together to make a comforting, relaxing listen that establishes Littrell as a credible CCM vocalist, even if it doesn't necessarily go a long way to establish a distinctive musical personality of his own. - Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide.
Posted: May 2, 2006
Subject: Welcome Home review
Source: Lauren Summerford for Jesus Freak Hideout
Credit: Brenna
He's not the typical new artist in Christian music. After all, how often does a member of one of the world's most famous "boy bands" decide to make a CCM debut? Rarely, if ever. Nevertheless, that's what Backstreet Boy Brian Littrell decided to do. Released on Reunion Records, Welcome Home is Littrell's first solo album which displays his musical influences - those from both the Christian pop scene and his boy band days. Coming from such a successful mainstream pop background, it may be a slight surprise that Welcome Home features distinctly Christian lyrics. Opening track "My Answer Is You" is the perfect example of the hope Brian Littrell has in Christ and the change it has made in his life compared to the lives of those he has worked with in the past, "There's a world of difference when faith is in a heart/ It stands out like sunlight... When those around me ask me why I dare to dream/ Or why I love or why I sing/ My answer is You... Skeptics won't understand/ it's strange from the world's point of view/ My answer is You." It's clear that Littrell is secure in his faith and grateful for the grace of God as evidenced in "You Keep Givin' Me" and "We Lift You Up." In fact, Welcome Home is filled with songs of gratitude and praise towards God ("I'm Alive" and "Over My Head"). This performer even puts his own spin on the popular Joy Williams song "Wish," which expresses his desire to see "Jesus, face to face."
It's not Welcome Home's instrumentation that is reminiscent of the Backstreet Boys. Actually, this project sounds of something one could expect from early MercyMe or Steven Curtis Chapman, with arrangements that seem tailor-made for success at Christian pop/AC radio. Rather, it's Littrell's vocals and the boy band-esque harmonies that ring of his previous musical experience. Though this won't be considered a bad thing by some, it's these vocal stylings that just don't seem to fit on this album. While it is completely understandable that Littrell chose not to go back through the programmed pop route, it feels as if some places could have been a bit reworked to avoid that awkward feeling sometimes projected.
Brian Littrell is a veteran artist at this point, but he may still be a new face to those who stick closely to the Christian music scene. Welcome Home will be warmly accepted by some, while others may simply choose to pass on this disc. With a debut solo project that is, for the most part, solid with only a few trouble spots, we can expect Littrell to find his place in Christian music very soon.