Joy Williams - Genesis (2005)

Joy Williams emerged as one of contemporary Christian music's more talented vocalists in the early 2000s. She returned at age 22 with this third offering, which was sprinkled with hints of more driving pop/rock in the same vein as Michelle Branch and Vanessa Carlton. What distinguished this go-around was a well-managed attempt at becoming more than just another teen pop voice. It helped that she took the daunting step of co-writing all ten tracks, particularly since the remainder of the writing team included the talents of Matthew West, Jason Ingram, Ian Eskelin and Ben Glover. Genesis was aptly named -- a strong showing and sort of reinvention for one who already found success in her youth. Fans of mid-career Rachael Lampa and Jaci Velasquez have plenty to make them happy with this favorable collection of upbeat, thoughtful tunes.