We have finally finished our fourth CD review for you.  As always ASHLEY MIRANDA and I discuss our thoughts about this new release.  We have another gifted Christian artist for you.  LINDSEY KANE recently released "YOU'LL BE WHOLE" and she graciously allowed us the opportunity to review it.  Here is what we think about it. Ashley: Well I got the CD!! My favorites are definitely "Paradise Forever" and "I'm in love". Though for the slower songs I like "The Valley", its a really nice song. Lindsey really has a nice voice too. Steve: Glad you got the cd! Interesting two songs that you chose as your favorites. Two love songs! Is that saying something about you or what? To me, "Paradise Forever" has a very cool pop beat to it and a very good message as well.  I sure hope a lot of young ladies get to hear it.  "I'm In Love" is a good song too, but it doesn't really speak to me.  Of course that's obvious because I'm not in love.  Well, not with anyone specific anyway. "The Valley" may be my favorite.  It really speaks to what I've been experiencing lately.  In it Lindsey sings about going through rough times and how God makes himself real to us during those times. I am also partial to "Least Of These".  The song is about those among us who have had life weighing down on them and never giving them a break, but yet they continue to see the bright side of things and share their faith.  My heart breaks for these folks, but yet I am still encouraged by the strength that they demonstrate every day. Ashley: Yeah I'm all crazy for love songs at the moment. You're right about the message in "Paradise Forever", I think some guys should also hear that one too! I like the melody and the fun sound of "I'm in Love", it almost reminds me of that song "I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz. I also like the lyrics of "You'll Be Whole", it's comforting knowing that you're not alone at all, Lindsey is certainly a great song writer!! Steve:  So you are a lovesick puppy at the moment, eh? How is my Canadian accent? LOL No wonder you're enjoying Lindsey's love songs. Thanks for mentioning Lindsey's title track "You'll Be Whole".  It opened up the waterworks for me.  I'm not ashamed to admit it either.  This song went straight to my heart!  Both versions.  Lindsey liked it so much that she did an acoustic version along with a fully produced version.  I like it so much that I don't mind it being played twice while listening to the full album.  Personally, I am partial to anything acoustic, but how about you?  Which version do you enjoy the most? Ashley: Yeah, you could say that. I like both of her versions of "You'll Be Whole", but her acoustic version is great!!  And yeah, I don't mind hearing the same song twice either. I actually have been playing this cd non stop, its really good. I have a feeling I've heard "It is Well" before.. seems almost familiar. Steve: You're right!!  You have heard "It Is Well" before.  It is the one song that Lindsey did not write on this album.  "It Is Well" is an old hymn, that you've probably sung once or twice in church.  It was written by Horatio G. Spafford back in 1873.  Lindsey sings it with help from Bethany Dillon.  This version was arranged for Lindsey by John Glover. I think it is a good song to have because it fits the message that Lindsey is sending through this album.  I also like the arrangement of the song as it doesn't go overboard trying to make such a standard hymn into a contemporary song.  It keeps the general feel of the hymn, but brings it into the 21st century.  That is why you recognized it. Like you, I played the cd over & over again the first week that I had it.  I received it at a time when I really needed to hear the message that it carries.  It was a rough time, but Lindsey's songs broke through for me.  I am grateful for her writing such amazing songs and sharing them with the world......especially with me. Ashley: Oh no wonder why I recognized it. Its pretty good! I figured it was an old song by the lyrics, but yeah I like how its arranged. Yeah her cd on the whole is really great, I hope alot of people get to hear it!! Steve: So it looks like Lindsey gets TWO THUMBS UP from Ashley & I.  We are both amazed at her songwriting abilities and her voice is simply a gift.  You will be blessed by this album if you have ever gone through a tough time in life.  Lindsey brings God's presence in our lives into reality.  I highly recommend you buy this album. PURCHASE YOUR COPY NOW!

Well, we are now on our third CD review.  ASHLEY MIRANDA joins me again with her fan review.  This time we are bringing you the new release by JASON SWEET.  It is a mini-album called "LIVING ROOM PRAISE" and is only available via iTunes.  (click the graphic below to download) Steve:  Ashley, Jason is one of the original members of the Dark Horse family.  God led me to his music at a time when I was struggling with direction for my life and his music touched me deeply.  But what was even better was that Jason responded to my message to him.  He is a nice and encouraging man.  So it is a pleasure to bring his latest project to the rest of the family.  What do you think of "LIVING ROOM PRAISE"? Ashley: Oh!  I like these songs.  I like that they're upbeat, it's nice :)  His music style seems to be really modern too.  A lot of the younger generation will love these songs.  Did he write all these songs?   Steve:  Yes, Jason is very modern and upbeat with his music.  He is full of energy and has a real gift for writing.  I enjoy everything he does.  As far as I know, he wrote all of these songs.  I really like the title of this album, "Living Room Praise".  It really brings home the truth of the relationship God wants to have with us.  In the title track, Jason tells us of his songwriting sessions.  He paints a very vivid picture of what his relationship with God is like.  It is one of my favorites from this five song mini-album.  What song or songs do you like best? Ashley:  Yeah, "Living Room Praise" is written wonderfully, its really down to earth.  I like "Without You" the meaning of the song is pretty straight forward in its lyrics, but I like how the music builds up through out the song. Steve:  I am definitely in agreement with you on "Without You".  It feels like a good POD or Pillar type song, but without the screaming.  Jason delivers a very powerful song and still keeps his vocals very clear.  He also delivers a humbling message in "You Still Love Me".  It is a song that I often play at night as I say my prayers.  The verse: I'm helpless here without you Lord And I know that I cannot afford To gain the world and lose you in the end is what really hits home with me every day.  I struggle every day with thoughts of how I could turn Dark Horse into a profit making company, but I feel I would lose God's involvement if I did.  God is the force behind all that Dark Horse stands for and so Jason's song and lyrics help me stay grounded to God's purpose for all of this. Ashley:  Yeah, sometimes I think tough times are good for us all, it helps us realize we're not alone, or to put God first and through that we're guided, like how his song "Only One" speaks about. These are some pretty good songs he's got his hands on. Steve:  How true Ashley!  We would all love for everything to work out and never face any struggles, but we are just like coral reefs in that only the side of the reef that faces the open sea and all of the storms and forces of the waves will thrive.  The coral needs those rough seas to clean off all of the decay that builds up on it.  We also are unable to rid ourselves of the things that build up in our lives and so we need struggles and storms to help us realize what truly matters to God.  And Jason points that out in all of the songs on his "Living Room Praise" mini-album.  If you were to describe Jason and this latest album to a friend, what would you say? Ashley:  If I were to describe him, I would say he is a God-loving man who is trying to minister to the world by doing what he does best, and that's by singing, and it shows that on his mini- album. I think a lot of people would be touched by his songs if they got a chance to hear them. Steve:  That's a very good description of Jason.  I would highly recommend "LIVING ROOM PRAISE" to anyone.  It's not just good messages that will touch hearts, it really is quality music too!  You could hear all of these songs on the radio.  They are that good!! PURCHASE YOUR COPY NOW!

Once again, ASHLEY MIRANDA is helping me review another CD.  This review is of MICHALA TODD'S debut CD.  It is available for purchase at Michala's web site, myspace page, and also right here at Dark Horse.  (click the cover image in this article.) Ashley:   I received Michala's cd today. And gave it a listen too. A really well rounded cd in my opinion. Some of the fun songs I can picture blasting it while having the windows rolled down. While the ballads are pretty sweet too. I love her voice! Really clear and mature, I like that. Her music style is current, so it should do well once she gets some more publicity. Is this her first CD she's released? If so she's done a really good job! Steve:  Yes this is Michala's debut album.  I agree that it is very professionally done.  Being a pop album, it does fit extremely well with her target audience.  She obviously has some very talented folks on her team.  What I really like about this album is that it isn't the typical bubble gum teenage songs that you normally hear from such young talent.  The lyrics of songs like "A Little Too Far" and "What Ya Don't See" have some intelligent catch phrases and hooks, but my favorite is "Everything Goes With Goodbye".  That song rings so true in life.  We are such a throw away society lately, but I don't mean with things like cell phones and such.  You know, how we are always looking to have the latest and greatest of things. but rather with our relationships.  We have a mentality that is like a quotation that I've been seeing a lot of that goes something like, "forget the people in your past, there is a reason they didn't make it to your future". It's as though we are saying that there is no need to work on relationships, just say goodbye to people.  And what I love about Michala's song is that she says it plainly, "Everything goes with goodbye".  We lose more than just a friend.  We lose memories and a little bit of ourselves when we say goodbye to someone we care about. Ashley:  Yeah "What Ya Dont See" is my favorite song on her cd. Its different from alot of songs out there. I can relate to it alot ,especially with how my current relationship started out.I also like how her songs are real. I also really like "The Next time" how it shows that one can learn from mistakes in life and then can learn from them and move on. Thats true about the "Everything goes with Goodbye" song. I also like about this cd, how her songs aren't only about dating a different boy every week, like with "Whats so wrong with Love" they speak good of relationships which I think is missing from alot of songs nowadays. Steve:  I agree with you there too.  "What Ya Don't See" is going to be real to a lot of people.  I cannot tell you how many times in my life that I've had strong feelings for people, but never expressed them, so this song is so real to me.  I think "The Next Time" is cute, but not in a childish way.  I just think it's a very well constructed song.  I also agree how Michala stays away from all of the break up & make up stuff that is prevalent in so many well known teen sensations.  They are on a mature level. Ashley:  I think people should buy this CD, if they're interested in hearing some fresh music. Since a lot of the songs now are over played to death it would be cool to hear something new. Also its always nice hearing music from fellow Canadians. :) PURCHASE YOUR COPY NOW!

Dark Horse is proud to present our very first CD Review.  We are starting off this new feature by reviewing Chris Hester’s “Steps I’ve Taken" CD.  It is available for purchase at chrishester.com or you can find an advertising banner right here at darkhorsepromotions.com. I want to introduce a very good friend of mine to everyone before we get started with the CD review.  Ashley Miranda has been a friend of mine since before Dark Horse promotions was even a thought in my head.  We met in the Ashley Gearing Fan Forum several years ago.  She is a die hard supporter of Ashley G.  We have been in constant contact ever since and so I could think of no one better to help give this feature a new perspective.  Ashley loves music and will be able to add a point of view from a fan as well as give a female perspective.  We hope that you will enjoy how we present these CD reviews for you.  Ashley:  So I gave the whole CD a listen to and these are my thoughts on it.  Chris does a good job on the CD with his song selection, they're fresh and relatable. I'm used to hearing a lot of contemporary Christian stuff so it was nice to take a break from it and listen to something new. The music is pretty main stream for country radio, so I see there is definite option for growth in his music career.  Steve:  You make some valid & insightful points Ashley.  Chris is a breath of fresh air.  I was blessed to hear Chris sing a couple of these songs to me before he went into the studio when I visited him in Oklahoma.  His voice is clear and the song selection for this album is a great combination.  I agree that it should open up several options for him.  So tell me....what was your favorite song and why?  Ashley:  I don't just have just one favorite, I have two "Baptized" and "Get Out There".  I like the beat in "Baptized" yet I find "Get Out There" to be a really catchy song.  Steve:  I have to agree with you again.  It's hard to just have one favorite, but we do agree that "Baptized" is one of the best on the album.  For my second, I'm torn between "Empty Handed" and "Evidence of Love".  So I guess I have three favorites. There is quite a story behind "Tears Will Never Stain The Streets Of That City".  It is a long time gospel standard made famous by the Rambos which included the legendary Dottie Rambo.  Chris was already working on his version of this song for this project when Dottie was killed in a bus accident while on tour.  Chris was a huge fan of Dottie's and her loss really hit him hard.  So this song has a very special meaning to Chris.  Ashley:  Oh wow, it’s cool that he sang it to show respect in a way.  Steve:  Yes, what began as a way to honor a gospel great's career, wound up being a tribute to her life.  I've heard a few other artists sing that song, one being Ricky Van Shelton, who is a legend himself, but I believe Chris sings it in an even more amazing way.  Chris puts emotion into all of his songs, but you can hear that something extra in his voice in this song. So overall both Ashley and I agree that Chris Hester’s “Steps I’ve Taken” CD is well worth the purchase as it is sure to bless you in several ways.  Both Chris’ voice and songs are going to touch your heart.  PURCHASE YOUR COPY NOW!