Stacie Orrico

Stacie Orrico
Virgin/Forefront Records

It’s always interesting to watch the artists that begin their careers in the midst of adolescence develop into what we all hope they will become. Stacie Orrico is no exception. She is only 16 years old, but has come a long way since the release of her first album three years ago. Orrico’s sophomore album marks her growth as both a singer and songwriter.

Orrico displays great vocal versatility on her self-titled release. From urban pop to tender ballads, Orrico shows she can handle it all with ease. Comparisons to artists like Nicole Nordeman, Nelly Furtado, and Destiny’s Child come easily while making it difficult to put boundaries on Orrico’s abilities.

Perhaps more impressive than Orrico’s vocal prowess is her songwriting abilities. If her voice wasn’t powerful enough to give credibility to her message, then knowing that she wrote some of the most thoughtful lyrics on the album should remove all doubt that Stacie Orrico is the real deal. Perhaps the finest example of her gifted writing is found on the tender “Strong Enough.”

“Stacie Orrico” is not your run-of-the-mill, over-produced pop album. There are glimpses of true artistry that make this album one of the year’s most unforgettable.