Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus," an Uganda medley and a Western Gospel tune, all on one record.  In the hands of a lesser singer, such a repertoire of songs sounds fragmentarily bizarre.  But the Allen Family is not your average singer; they are artists of the highest calibre.  Rather, than just singing, they own the songs they sing.  Not only have they sought to understand each song, they ensure that they live and breathe each and every syllable before interpreting them with their life experiences and personality intact.  As a result of such deft interpretations, Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus" is not just sonic artifact of the past.  Rather, the Allen Family has made this their own personal souls' cry of praises rendered to our majestic Creator.  For the last 16 years, Allen Family has been travelling across more than 35 of the United States and 4 Canadian Provinces in full-time Gospel music ministry. They have also performed in Jamaica, Guatemala and Zambia, Africa. Industry professionals awarded Todd, Michelle, and their oldest son, Caleb, a first place finish at the 2000 National Quartet Convention Talent Search in Louisville, Kentucky. In the years to follow, the other Allen children joined their ministry and today as many as 10 members of the family sing together when they travel.

"Today," though not their first record, is perhaps their finest.  If you are looking for music that is shielded from today's cacophony of crashing drums and soaring guitars "Today" brims with lots of appeal.  With lush orchestrations, a mighty sounding choral backing, and melodies that moving transport us back to the days when Brooklyn Tabernacle was at its prime, don't miss "Something Happens."  A track often associated with Gospel great Kurt Carr, "Something Happens" sees how the Allen Family uses their voices and the surging orchestration to build in staccato to the song's climax.  And when they exploded with powerhouse grandeur you can't help but stand in awe as they exhort:  "Jesus something special/Supernatural/about your name/Jesus/Something happens/When i mention your name." "Last Commandment First Concern" with its majestic horn arrangement has a way of ushering us into the presence of King Jesus as He stands on the mountain giving us the Great Commission again.

More awe inspiring worship happens again with "Down from His Glory."  With lyrics scribed by William Emmanuel Booth Clibborn (1893-1969) the grandson of William Booth, the founder of the Salvation Army and set to the tune of Edwardo Di Capua's famous "O Sole Mio," this is one of the most intriguing fusion musical pieces around.  Though David Phelps had done an amazing rendition a few years before, the Allen Family does not trail far behind.  Ever as spine chilling, the Allen Family does marvelously when they croon the refrain:  "O how I love Him! How I adore Him!/My breath, my sunshine, my all in all. The great Creator became my Savior/And all God's fullness dwelleth in Him." Equally unique in their song choice is their rendition of Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus;" never over the top schmaltzy, the Allen Family has imbued this classic with their own signature country trademark together with the usual brass and strings.  Album opener "Family Owned" is another illustration how the Family have groomed their songs to their own identity.  On a cursory level, indeed it is true that the Allen Family is family owned.  But on another level, the song speaks of the importance of being spiritually family owned.  With an evangelistic thrust, the song urges us to be part of God's greater spiritual family.

Not sure if "Round Up the Sky" a western gospel tune with one of the younger children of the family taking the lead works for everyone but it sprightly melodious and upbeat.  While the album closes with an Uganda medley.  To include a foreign-language song for Allen Family is not a novelty niche creation decision.  Rather, the family has had done extensive missionary work in various parts of the world.  Thus, to hear their love for our fellow brothers and sisters in Uganda pulsating through this song is just heartwarming.  "Today" is not a typical Southern Gospel record, it appears bizarre if you just look at the song titles.  But one listen to it you will not only be singing along but when you reach such high moments like "Last Commandment First Concerns" and "Something Happens" you would be in God's presence worshipping.