::ALBUM REVIEW::

The Singletons are back with their new release entitled “Better Than That.” This project also features (literally features) Fred Hammond not only in the production and writing spot, but also in vocals. Writing credits are also attributed to the Singletons themselves but are overlooked (whether intentionally or not) by the presence of Fred Hammond.

The album starts off with the jam “Dance in the Spirit.” This offering with get you up off your seat but as the song progresses Fred Hammond's random vocals get tiring. Things get a little un-traditional with the rock ballad “You're Welcome Here.” This offering is a cry out to God to dwell and inhabit in us. This song may not be for everyone or fit everyone's taste but nevertheless it is a powerful song of surrender.

“Nobody Like Him,” “Created to Worship,” “Worthy to Be Praised,” as well as the title track “Better Than That” all feature Fred Hammond on vocals as either the main background vocalist, ‘hype-man,' narrator, or exhorter. I was most disturbed by this on the worshipful “Worthy to Be Praised.” I could not fully enjoy the song because it sounded like Fred Hammond just randomly put in adlibs or narrations.

The stand out tracks to me was “For Me,” “I Need You,” and “Give Him the Praise,” the latter featuring the gospel ‘hype-man' himself; Kirk Franklin. These tracks featured The Singletons and had them on the forefront. The latter track, surprisingly, did this exceptionally well. Yes Kirk Franklin was featured on the song but his presence did not overshadow The Singletons.

In conclusion I can say that the musicianship, the material itself, and the overall presentation of this project was not lacking but the actual presence of The Singletons being the main artist was. Honestly I consider this another Fred Hammond project, and it should have been called Fred Hammond & The Singletons or The Singletons featuring Fred Hammond if that was the case.

Their main tagline for the project is that “They're Back.” If that were the case than my response to that, with evidence of not only listening to the current project but also looking at their last offering, would be to ask if they were missed in the first place.