If Whitney Houston or Leona Lewis can sing about human love with such bombastic conviction why do Christian artists have to sluggishly whimper when they sing about the greatest love of all?  Kerrie Roberts joins a small sliver of female Christian artists such as Natalie Grant or Nichole Nordeman who are not afraid to stretch their multiple octaves sopranos over long holding notes in praise of Jesus Christ.  The first thing to say about this Florida native is that this gal can sing, really sing. When she flaunts her vocal supremacy she can definitely wow the judges on "American Idol" with her caterwauling melisma.  Thus, it comes as no surprise that her song "Unstoppable" was selected for a TV spot promoting the tenth season of "American Idol" in 2010. "Time for the Show," Roberts' sophomore album for Reunion Records, follows on the heels of the template set by her eponymous debut.  As the titular "Time for the Show" hints, this is a big pop-sounding record with high power ballads and suave dance vibe anthems.  If comparisons are to be made, Kelly Clarkson in her "Breakaway" era comes to mind.  However, the major departure with this record is that while her debut only had a couple of up-tempo songs, here a balance struck where ballads only constitute only half the album.

Regardless of how hip the peppy songs are, with a voice like Roberts, you have got to hear her when she belts a ballad.  Sky scraping vocal moments abound with the power ballad "In Your Sight."  Though Roberts soars with lots of breath holding notes, her performance only enhances her desperate need to  trust Jesus:   "I will rest, knowing You are holding me/I believe You will never say goodbye/ I close my eyes, unafraid of what I cannot see,/because I am always In Your sight." "Like Jesus Loves" another gem of a ballad is a majestic exposition of the kenosis of Jesus Christ, how the King of glory loves us so much to come to live and die amongst us.  Much more cluttered in its production with some piercing drum beats is the lead single "Finally Home." Here Roberts puts to music the feeling of belonging when we come in submission to Christ.  Candid and confessional is "Middle of It All" where Roberts admits her own fears and her need to run to Christ.  Listen especially to the delightful jazzy Vanessa Carlton-esque piano riffs.

This time round there are more propulsive burners.  Most creative is the cleverly nuanced "Time for the Show."  The show Roberts is referring to is our lives.  And here she is inviting Christ to be the main actor in this show we call life.  Beautifully weaving scriptural threads of our need to be a city on a hill that cannot be hid, this is just the perfect example of how Scripture and art come into play.  The issue of our struggling self-image is indeed perplexing and perpetual for many today, especially our teenage girls.  And Roberts deals with it in the light of Psalm 139 in the radio friendly "Masterpiece."  While on "Sing" she gets into her praise and worship drive packing in full gear ready to praise her Lord.

As much as it is a joy to see Roberts branching out to deal with more fast paced songs, a few such as "What Are You Afraid of" and "Wake Up" are more formulaic pop.  Especially with the former, in an album with quite a few songs dealing with fear and trust, "What Are You Afraid of" is more or less repetitive.  Nevertheless, aside from this quibble, Roberts does put on a stellar "show"-- a show not primarily just for our entertainment, but a show of praise and worship to Jesus our King.  And with such a Godly show, front row tickets are in demand.