Life (2001)

Life is the second studio album by the Christian girl group ZOEgirl, released on

November 20, 2001 by Sparrow Records.

Life opens with the lead single "With All of My Heart." A pumped-up worship pop track, the song was a hit on both Christian CHR and AC radio charts. The rest of the album continues their contemporary pop sound with hints of dance pop, euro-dance, R&B and some adult contemporary. A music video was made for their further single "Dismissed." The dance pop track encourages young ladies to end (or, in this case, "dismiss") unhealthy relationships, while also not giving in to Satan and temptation. "Plain" is a slowed-down pop ballad written solely by group member Kristin Swinford -Schweain. Lyrically similar to Christina Aguilera's pop ballad "Beautiful," (even though "Beautiful" wasn't released until a year later), "Plain" is written about Kristen's personal struggles with self-esteem and it reminds the listener, for those who have self-esteem struggles, that they are a precious treasure, no matter what others say.

The track "Here and Now" is a pop rock track with electric guitars and drum loops. The lyrics encourage Christians to stand together and live for Jesus with all they have. This music genre becomes more common in ZOEgirl's final two releases Different Kind of Free and Room to Breathe. The final track "The Truth," written solely by group member Alisa Childers, is a slowed-down song reminiscent of the ZOEgirl track "Constantly." The final section of the song ends at 6:10. After 18 seconds of silence, the hidden track of "ABCs to Salvation" begins at the 6:28 mark, which can be heard. Life charted and peaked on the following Billboard albums charts:

#9 Top Christian Albums

#111 Billboard 200 Albums

#2 Heatseekers Albums

In 2002, ZOEgirl won their first, and only, Dove Award for New Artist of the Year at the 33rd GMA Dove Awards.

Track listing

1. With All of My Heart (Chrissy Conway-Katina, Joe Priolo) -5:04

2. Even If (Alisa Childers, Kristin Swinford-Schweain, Chrissy

   Conway-Katina, Lynn Nichols, Tedd Tjornhom) -4:24

3. Dismissed (Alisa Childers, Kristin Swinford-Schweain, Chrissy

   Conway-Katina, Tedd Tjornhom, Tasia Tjornhom) -3:20

4. Waiting (Alisa Childers, Kristin Swinford-Schweain, Chrissy Conway-Katina,

   Jesse Katina, Robert "Aurel M" Marvin) -4:03

5. R U Sure About That? (Alisa Childers, Kristin Swinford-Schweain, Chrissy

   Conway-Katina, Lynn Nichols, Tedd Tjornhom) -5:00

6. Ordinary Day (Alisa Childers, Kristin Swinford-Schweain, Chrissy

   Conway-Katina, Lynn Nichols, Tedd Tjornhom) -4:01

7. Plain (Kristin Swinford -Schweain) -4:44

8. Nick of Time (Kristin Swinford -Schweain, Lynn Nichols, Tedd Tjornhom) -4:00

9. Forever 17 (Kristin Swinford -Schweain) -4:22

10. Here and Now (Alisa Childers, Kristin Swinford-Schweain, Chrissy

 Conway-Katina, Joe Priolo) -4:27

11. The Truth (with a hidden track) (Alisa Childers) -7:17

Personnel

ZOEgirl:

Alisa Childers -vocals

Kristin Swinford -Schweain -vocals

Chrissy Conway-Katina -vocals

Production credits

Tedd T. -producer (tracks 1 -3, 5 -8, 10 and 11)

Joe P. -co-producer (tracks 1 and 10)

Robert "Aurel M" Marvin -producer (tracks 4 and 9)

Accolades

Dove Award -New Artist of the Year

Radio singles

2001 -2002 "With All of My Heart" -#1 R&R Christian CHR, #3 R&R Christian AC

2002 "Even If" -#8 R&R Christian CHR

2002 "Plain" -#23 R&R Christian AC

In 2002, a limited edition CD single was sold with the purchase of Life. It contains two bonus tracks, "It's Hard to Be a Girl" and the original recording of "Save Myself," plus remixed versions of ZOEgirl tracks "I Believe" and "Anything Is Possible."

Track listing

1. It's Hard to Be a Girl (Alisa Childers, Kristin Swinford-Schweain, Chrissy

  Conway-Katina, Michael-Anthony Taylor) -4:18

2. Save Myself (Alisa Childers, Kristin Swinford-Schweain, Chrissy

 Conway-Katina, Michael Linney) -3:53

3. Anything Is Possible (Riverside Remix) (Alisa Childers, Kristin Swinford-

Schweain, Chrissy Conway-Katina, Joe Priolo) -3:31

4. I Believe (Riverside Remix) (Alisa Childers) -4:11

Production credits

Tedd T. -producer (tracks 1 and 2)

Michael-Anthony "Mookie" Taylor -co-producer (track 1)

Michael Linney -co-producer (track 2)

Previous release: ZOEgirl (2000)

Next release: Mix of Life (2002) (remix album)

Watch the music video of "Dismissed" here: