One of Christian music's top vocal bands, Acappella takes a different course for this 1994 album. Instead of a new set of Keith Lancaster originals, Hymns consists of a selection of traditional hymns, which may sound stodgy, especially when the first track begins in very straight TTBB fashion. Soon it breaks into a familiar groove, however, and with it comes the eclectic style that makes Acappella one of the more interesting groups to listen to. For example, the distinctly technofunk "Rock of Ages" gives way to the medieval opening of "Holy, Holy, Holy," followed by the finger-snapping "In the Garden." A number of the hymns are presented in different languages, including Russian, French, and Spanish, and a large stable of voices occasionally backs up the four principal singers (Duane Adams, Robert C. Guy, Gary Moyers, and George Pendergrass). This album may not be the most representative introduction if you're not familiar with Acappella, but fans shouldn't miss it. --David Horiuchi