The Sound

Once again, it's the instantly memorable, upbeat, radio-ready material that places Mary Mary at the forefront of contemporary gospel. When The Sound was released, the energizing "Get Up" was threatening to make as much of a crossover splash as 2000s "Shackles (Praise You)," and like four other songs front-loaded on Erica and Tina's fifth album -- including the triumphant David Banner feature "Superfriend," the booming/bumping "God in Me," and the rambunctious '60s throwback title track ("Is it all right if I moan?!/Mmmmoooaaannn-nuh!") -- there's more walloping vigor than what can be found in nearly any given modern, platinum-seeking R&B album. The disc's latter half is relatively indistinct, but it could never be said that the duo is going through the motions. The same goes for Erica's husband, undervalued veteran producer/songwriter Warryn Campbell.