Originally from Chattanooga, Tennessee (two hours south of Nashville), pop/rock act The Turning relocated to Music City a few years ago to get serious about their ministry. After much promoting, touring, writing, and recording, they got signed to RKT Music and now present us with their debut, Learning to Lose.

Their sound is nothing revolutionary. In fact, it's nothing you haven't heard before. But The Turning plays their sound well. They're edgy enough not to be "pop," but way too catchy to be taken seriously as a rock band. However, some crunching chords meshed with clashing cymbals gives Learning to Lose a nice bit of an indie edge that keeps this one from getting dull or mundane.

The music is complimented by Jacob McGinnis' solid vocals, sounding a lot like a worship leader's might at your local youth group. And the lyrics he writes might seem a bit simplistic at times, but it compliments the music well, and avoids being too cliché or predictable. "The Turning is about… being free," says McGinnis. Indeed, the overt tone of Learning to Lose is that breaking out and finding spritual renewal, and then reveling in that new found wonder.

The Turning should be all over CCM radio. You listen to Learning to Lose, and it just suits it. It's probably not the first way The Turning wants to be characterized, or perhaps it is? They seem to want more than anything to get out the message of freedom found only in Christ, and lots of radio play most definitely gives them an avenue to speak their heart. It's not the most intriguing of records, but it has my attention. Keep an eye on these guys in the years to come.

- Review date: 07/18/06, written by Josh Taylor