As the official sequel to
Blue (
Unchained Melody was a collection of early recordings),
You Light Up My Life: Inspirational Songs carried a lot of expectations. It was a record that should have consolidated
LeAnn Rimes' status as contemporary country's brightest new star, but instead it does a curious thing -- it positions her as an adult contemporary crossover artist.
You Light Up My Life has as much pop as country, relying on such easy listening standards as the title track, "The Rose," and "God Bless America."
Rimes sings well throughout
You Light Up My Life and displays her natural talent, but the album isn't the great leap forward it could have been. ~ Thom Owens