The story of the prodigal girl with guitar has gone viral.  One of this year's most anticipated Christian movie is the Brad J. Silverman movie "Grace Unplugged."  Starring AJ Michalka, James Denton and Kevin Pollack, this movie tells the story of an 18 year-old lassie Grace Trey who was less than content in just leading worship at her dad's church.  Her dad Johnny Trey was once a rock star who gave up the glitz of stardom to follow Christ in full time ministry as a pastor.  Feeling a cardinal urge to etch a name for herself outside of her dad's shadow, Grace dreamt of becoming a pop star in the limelight of glamour and headlights.  One day when her dad's former manager Frank "Mossy" Mostin came back after 20 years to offer her dad a record deal, Grace accepted it - without her parents' consent.  Off she went to Los Angeles to record her father's former hit song, she began to taste the success she once yearned for.  However, in climbing up the rungs of the ladder of stardom, Grace soon realized that she had to often compromise her Christian morals.  And soon Grace realized that not everyone around her that vouched for her success could be trusted.  Everyone, except Quentin, her record company's intern; Quentin encouraged Grace to reassess her choices and put God first in her life.

Since music is at the marrow of this film, the accompanying soundtrack is pivotal to the success of the movie.  The soundtrack features four cuts performed by AJ Michalka who plays Grace in the movie.  Michalka isn't exactly a rookie in the music circle.  Fans of 78violet (formerly known as Aly and AJ) would recognize her as one half of the duo who has given us rock hits such as the platinum selling single "Potential Breakup Song" and other radio hits like "Like Whoa" and "Chemicals React."  Since Michalka plays a worship leader, it is befitting that she covers two worship staples here.  Michalka assimilates with honors into the worship genre with Hillsong's "Desert Song."  While Brooke Fraser's original rendition is more balladry, Michalka's is bright, upbeat and it pulls us by the ankles dragging us into the presence of the Almighty God.  The other worship entry is Matt Redman's "You Never Let Me Go."  Adorned with ersatz bells and some awe-sounding guitar blasts,  Michalka's version brings home the movie's theme to our hearts:  God doesn't let us go despite our idolatrous strays.      

"All I've Ever Needed," the first of the Michalka's original, is already a well-deserved number 1 hit on the Christian chart.   It's not difficult why Christian radio has warmed up to "All I've Ever Needed:" the energetic interplay between Michalka's mellifluous vocals and the elegiac piano backings over God-centered lyrics, this song is a winner in every sense.  "Misunderstood" is more reminisce of Michalka's 70violet days of punky rock with an infectious melody.  After the Michalka's tracks, disappointment sets in.  The disappointment results from two reasons: first, considering that this is a movie revolving around the character Grace, why was Michalka only given four cuts?  Second, why are the rest of the tracks re-issues; songs already found on the artists' various albums?  It's great to have a lineup of today's hottest Christian artists such as TobyMac, Chris Tomlin, Colton Dixon, Shawn McDonald and Luminate.  Rather than just lifting up songs from their already released albums, why were they not invited to cut new songs for the project?

Nevertheless, despite the brooding sentiments about the non-Michalka tracks, TobyMac's hit from last year "Steal My Show" fits the movie plotline like a glove.  One of the best contemporary treatises on idolatry, "Steal My Show" is a sober reminder to us not to de-throne God from the glory He deserves in our lives. And Chris Tomlin's mega worship favorite "Our God' has that use of violins that is nothing short of breathtaking.  On the whole, in the context of the movie's storyline, one can see how each song here contributes to its development making this one of the most cohesive soundtracks released this year.  However, one would somehow wish Michalka has a bigger role as far as the soundtrack goes.