Roots

iTunes Review

Though his sound tends towards the casual, there’s nothing offhand about the Christian faith Shawn McDonald expresses on 2008’s Roots. Since his promising 2004 debut Simply Nothing, he’s grown into a deceptively laid-back singer/songwriter who combines supple grooves with accounts of his walk with Christ. Roots’ mixture of tasty acoustic guitar and subtly insistent rhythms will remind some of Jack Johnson, John Mayer, and similar folk-pop hitmakers. “Light” and “Slow Down” simmer with a hint of Latin jazz, while “Clarity” and “Wash Me Clean” have the easy swing of old school R&B. Violins and cellos add texture and warmth to “Waltz in 3,” “Captivated,” and other tunes. His dancing vocal delivery serves him well on “Shadowlands” (a beat box-driven riff on the Lord’s Prayer) and “Greed” (a commentary on consumerism set to a slippery, banjo-accented track). “Winter” and “Hallelujah” are more somber and ruminative, but no less effective. With its playful arrangements and lazy afternoon vibe, Roots holds appeal for Christian and secular music fans alike, as McDonald offers his testimonies with a light touch and a loving heart.