Storm

Fernando Ortega has entitled his fifth major-label album Storm, which is cleverly appropriate when you consider the atmospheric feel of his record. Throughout the mix there's a quiet clarity of soft piano, rhythmic acoustic guitar, and even strings reminiscent of George Winston or Jim Brickman. The airy "Light of Heaven" is one of the most accessible tracks and draws comparison to Ortega's biggest previous hit, "This Good Day," from his 2000 Home release. Throughout Storm there's sonic tension, as Ortega's minor-chord verses offset big, shiny choruses. "Our Great God," a majestic and powerful praise and worship piece cowritten with Third Day's Mac Powell, carries the most potential yet falls a bit flat. You can catch a more muscular version of the song on the second City on a Hill release. Ortega also continues his tradition of reworking traditional hymns on a few songs, including a duet with Amy Grant on "Come Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy." --Michael Lyttle