Voice In The Dark - Best Of (!010)

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It's invariably a major accomplishment for an artist to publish their album. So much time, practice, performance, recording, editing, and so on goes into it that the project can appear daunting. But it's a whole other matter to do that four times over in the same year. But in 2009, San Diego based Sound in the Night has done but that.

No worries if you haven't had the opportunity to check out any of those releases; VITD offers his Best of collection as a promotional album made up of two songs from apiece of his 2009 projects: GAIA, ETHERIC, PHONEME and HIKARI.

Stylistically, the medicine has variety of a Dido meets Seal quality to it. You'll hear electronic elements found with most downtempo artists, but the overall sound is more upbeat. From the message in the lyrics to the music itself it becomes evident that VITD is out to elate and inspire.

VITD will frequently use the Socratic method to get his message across. Take the choir of "God Only Knows", for example: "Why should we make our passion to those who take no point to go? Why should we reach out to who needs the most? God alone knows." Or remove the questions posed in the opening verse of "How Can We" where VITD sings, "How can we make a span to eternity? How can we use the best of minds? How can we settle for less than what we can be? How can we get hold of our lives?"

My personal favorite song out of the appeal is "Secret Road". With its hard hitting snares, the drum programming has a nice Hip-Hop vibe, while guitars and keyboard strings make for the bulk of the catchy melody.

On the downside, the lyrics may seem preachy at times. Not in a spiritual way, but in a message-heavy kind of way that can do some listeners grow weary. Vocally, there is not a whole lot of risk taking; VITD stays in his lane. But all in all, Best of showcases the gift and positive content of a multifaceted producer/composer/singer/artist. Lyrically, it's a collection of songs that have-if I may strike the phrase-a Michael Jackson-esque vibe (think "Man in the Mirror"). With medicine that is sometimes rock, sometimes electronic, sometimes pop, Voice in the Dark seeks not merely to inspire, but to better humanity-a proud and noble goal, few can contend with.