NY2LA

Personnel: Joel Bodker (vocals, keyboards, programming); David Hanley (vocals, programming); Sada Jackson (vocals); Tyler Williams (rap vocals); Tyler Logan (guitar, programming); Chad Denney (drums); Brian Kennedy, Tom Malkiewicz, Theron Feemster (programming); Gina Hanley (background vocals).
Audio Mixers: Sean Tallman; Tom Malkiewicz; Bob Horn.
Liner Note Author: David Hanley.
Recording information: Dream Studios, Los Angeles.
Directors: Jacob Bender; Dawn Bender.
Editors: Jacob Bender; Dawn Bender.
Photographer: Matt Garsteck.
Pastor Dave Hanley's musical project Press Play offered an interesting mix of pop and rock on their debut album, but on their sophomore effort they've upped the dance-pop influence. The good news is that the shift fits the group like a sparkly white glove, and while the Black Eyed Peas are the obvious secular influence, there's also a Michael Jackson-sized ambition here that aims to change the world with epic pop. Check the grand piano-driven "My Everything" for one the group's biggest numbers to date or try the rather huge closer "Forever" for a bit of that power ballad flavor that dominated the group's debut. Most everything else is designed to get listeners to move and praise on the dancefloor with the title track -- and that stands for "New York to L.A." -- being the easy pick. Some fans might miss the rock elements of their first album, but most will find NY2LA a slick step in the right direction. ~ David Jeffries