New Universe

It's a very good album, am pleased with it and would recommend it! You won't be disappointed and I do recommend it!

I just received this product on saturday. When I opened the product,which is a cd, the case was broken to smithereens. I almost cut myself on the shredded plastic. Some parts of the case resembles broken glass thats been shaped into slivers of ice. I have not examined the cd closely, because I am concerned about getting cut. I rate the product one star because there is broken plastic all over the cd and I am afraid of getting cut.

Wilshire's caught some flack for its Christian music background. It's true that some of Micah and Lori Wilshire's lyrics have an inspiration bend, but they also have enough musical hooks and arrangement smarts to make their "affiliation" an irrelevant question.Lead single "Special" caught my ear for its unusually clean, slick pop/rock sound. I've never considered studio sheen to be a liability, necessarily, and I think the single sounds good aside from Lori Wilshire's overly cutely vocal high end on the verses. She has a strong voice and the dressy vocal flourishes seem unnecessary. She sounds much better when accessing her ballsy rock voice on soaring choruses. Unlike Shannon Curfman, for example, Lori Wilshire is able to sound rocky without resorting to Melissa Etheridge-style rock-mama cliches. And Micah Wilshire provides vocal diversity with good vocal support. Their songwriting is slightly uneven but this record contains a good number of potential hits: The catchy "Special"; the melodically twisty "Turn It Around", with its pretty harmonies; the appealing vocal duet "In Your Arms"; and the dreamy "Go On", possibly the most distinctive track on the record.As with many acts of this ilk, Wilshire can use more sonic and emotional diversity. The clean, slick sonics which had made "Special" stand out to my ear at first also does become monotonous, with the same fat guitar tones, reverbed choruses and big rock drums from track to track. This is an act that has the basics of songwriting, hooks and vocal ability down pat, but could use a touch of eccentricity and experimentation.

I first heard Wilshire on Launchcast radio and liked the single well enough to take the chance and purchase the CD. I do not mean to say that just because I only gave this three stars that it is in any way bad...it's not. The vocals and harmonies are very well done and all in all it is a very pleasant listen from beginning to end.The reason for the three stars is that the songs start to all sound the same...there is no enough shift in styles or approach to make this CD truly memorable. I can't wait to hear what this duo puts out two or three cd's from now.

Saw Wilshire on Tv& decided to try Cd. I am very happy I did. New Universe is one of the best new Cds I have heard this year!Wishire has a fresh,upbeat, melodic approach to modern rock which sets them apart from other young groups. Highlights of the Cd for me-are their single,"Special" ,The beautiful love song"foolfor you" & the last two tracks on Cd- "Go on" & "tonight"While these are highlights for me -I enjoyed whole CD-buy it & you will enjoy it too! Note: CD includes video of "Special"

I used to have this record because "Special" was kind of a hit and the song was really catchy. I forgot all about it when I came across it in a dollar-or-less bin and bought it back, forgetting why I got rid of it in the first place. "Special" is still a catchy tune...hence my 2 stars...but I sensed something sinister underneath, starting with the "looking for a hallelujah" in "Special"'s chorus. I smelled something funny & stinky, like uh-oh, they might come from a Christian background...being they are husband & wife is another clue...all married couples in music are religious, and Wilshire is no different. Same with Micah's name, religious red flag. I find Christian music quite offensive, me being a hardcore atheist, and what's even MORE offensive is when they cover up this background with NON-religious lyrics, signing to a regular major label and to pass themselves off as a cool new band without this baggage, thinking no one would notice Well, I sniffed them out, this is their 3rd album (not a debut) and their background, especially Micah's, is REALLY hardcore Christian, writing with Christian artists and bands like Michael W Smith and DC Talk. I do understand that maybe they want to expand their audience into the secular arena, and have people judge them on musical merit alone...hence the catchy powerpop, Beatlesque styles of "New Universe". Objectively and solely on musical merit, Lori DOES have a fine voice, they CAN write catchy tunes, they harmonize well, and Micah is a pretty good musician, but they don't sound all that distinctive, and their Christian background does simmer to the surface subliminally, which put me at unease. They can try to hide it, but being hardcore Christian, they can't keep it 100% under wraps. Nice try, but it's a dumper again, plus, I don't feel like I want to buy any of their other records either, with that background and my atheism. Lori IS quite hot though, but being a Christian wife is not attractive to me whatsoever. Sorry for being upfront about this, and sorry if you religious gun nuts are offended...you did it first.

This CD is a breath of fresh air. Lori Wilshire's soaring vocals, Micah's smooth harmonies backed by the tight, catchy, well orchestrated music is phenomenal. You can't help but tap your feet, strum some air guitar, and sing along. Excellent!

2003年の9月、アメリカ行きの飛行機の中で聴いて以来、頭から離れなくなりました。CD全般に二人の重なる声がとても心地よく、歌詞もとてもわかりやすい。メロディーもキャッチーなのでCFにも使えそう。メロディー重視のポップな洋楽のファンは絶対はまること間違いなし！！絶対オススメ！！！