By Odeisel

Some things get better with time, aging like wine in wooden barrels gaining flavor and texture as the calendar pages turn. Unfortunately, voices don’t normally fall into this category, especially in Pop music. Years of concerts, along with hard partying tend to wreak havoc on even the strongest of voices. But some manage that to survive and flourish beyond their initial flurry. El DeBarge’s voice has aged beautifully. That soft, driving rush still lives with all the feathery impact of a pillow fight: hard hitting, yet supple and mellow. The laser sharp precision is still there on his new Geffen single “Second Chance.”

“Second Chance” is about redemption; reclaiming the lost love of before which famously slips through your fingers. You realize that it was the worst thing you ever did to let it go the first time and you pray for the opportunity to fix that mistake. When you’re really sorry you take culpability, and you make those changes in your life that led to the pain; hoping to rid your life of shoulda woulda coulda and embracing a new you. Then you pray that that special someone can recognize the change in you and give you that second chance to finish the game.

Vocally, there is a similarity to Michael Jackson in full ballad form, with a butter soft fluttering tenor throughout that gets soulful on the bridge.  His voice has deepened a tad over the years, with that teeny bopper high edged out by time. The background vocals are arranged perfectly to buttress the gaps in his verse and to rein in his progressions on those famous patented high notes. He weaves in and out of each run gracefully, never pushing his voice out of range and nailing the crescendo with aplomb.

Musically, the track is a work of minimalist elegance. A spare piano and soft strings work with the background vocals to create a peaceful reflective tone of solitude. There is no despair or loneliness, but a subtle steely resolve to repair the damaged love. The mood is managed perfectly by the construction. The drum and high hats are low and solely for depth and support. The track does add meat as it progresses with more strings and additional vocals but nothing overpowering.

Most older artists ruin their comeback attempts by pandering to new markets that don’t know them. El DeBarge has retreated to his strength: the ballad. It certainly wasn’t broken and there is no need to fix it. “Second Chance” gives his old fans the opportunity to fall in love with his music again while sounding fresh enough to add new people to the bandwagon. Enjoy.El DeBarge – Second Chance

[pro-player width=’530′ height=’253′ type=’video’]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBhw5FUBHY8[/pro-player]

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