The Standards, who have wowed us at the Harmony Sweeps Finals more than once, have taken a bold step with the release of "Past," looking to reach a new commercial audience, and even coming up with a new name for them, "Spencer's Own." Seven of the 12 songs are accompanied originals by the group. The other 5 are "Can't Break Away," Van Morrison's "Brown Eyed Girl," the group originals "Single Grain of Sand" and "In Absence" and the psychedelic anthem "Put A Little Love In Your Heart." We have never heard a weak tune from the four Williams brothers, we still haven't; and they show excellent and savvy songwriting and arranging skills. The great harmonies and deep feeling are still there on songs like "Dreamer," "One Sweet Thing," "Carla's Reality" and "Angel Dust," which have the kind of infectious hooks that get play on top-40 radio. The accompaniment is not overpowering the emphasis remains on the voices, melodies and lyrics. Dynamic performers, brilliant writers and arrangers produce CDs like "Past"--these guys should be stars! Our favorite: "Put A Little Love In Your Heart"

Listen to Put A Little Love in Your Heart in RealAudio.