From the very first track of Where the Past Meets Today, Sarah Kelly fans will notice that her sophomore release sounds nothing like her first. Gone is the worship leader with the soft, brunette curls and sweet voice - replaced by a mature, street-savvy, fiery redhead with a rock-hardened voice that demands your attention. This is full-fledged, hard-edged, guitar-driven, no-apologies rock done right!

These songs are about relationships; the positive, life-giving relationship with the Lord, and the sometimes painful, destructive relationships with other people. Born out of Sarah's difficult life, these songs are intense, passionate, and real. Sarah says, "A song is a way to speak, a voice beyond what you can normally say in life. This music gave me voice when I had none." This may be why her message can be heard loud and clear with every song: It is time to stop the abuse, to find the light, to forgive, and to move on.

Track 1, "The Beauty of it All," contains not only the first glimpses of Sarah's rock side, but the theme of this album as well: we can change the way we are living. No matter how rough, no matter how desperate, we can make a difference. "Sometimes weakness makes us strong. Let's just admit that we were wrong. You and I, we built this wall, but we can tear it down? That's the beauty of it all."

Fully embracing a gutsy, classic-rock vocal style, "Still Breathing" may leave you breathless - Sarah does it so very well. Punctuated by screaming guitar riffs and Janis Joplin-style vocals, this song highlights Sarah's gritty rock side. With lyrics crying, "It's never too late - while we're still breathing," this song delivers a powerful wake-up call to anyone who thinks they are trapped and beyond saving. A similar guitar-driven, passion-lead rock sound can be found on, "Between the Lines," a song of moving forward no matter how bad the past has been, and "Believe Again" which asks for the strength to hope for a better tomorrow.

"Hold on Love" is a sultry, rock-blues song that asks the question, "How much can one take till the soul finally breaks." Sarah encourages us to survive, as she has. "Hold on love, it's all on the line, but you'll be alright. Lift your head, you must be strong now - must sing out your song." Hoping to give others the voice she found in her music, Sarah sings of renewed life and purpose.

The title of this CD is found in "About Midnight," the first of the songs that concentrates on her relationship with the Father. "I call out your name because I need You beside me through these seasons of change. ... Here in this valley, though the shadows lean my way, I know You're with me when the past meets today." Along with "I'm Out of Reach," "Fall Into You," and "In Your Eyes," we find a softer, gentler Sarah full of strength and encouragement.

Compelling music and melody makes "What You Leave Behind" a favorite. A song of regret and of asking for another chance, this one may touch many listeners. "Don't know what your holding till it's taken. Don't know what you're made of till you're breaking. You don't know the fate of one mistake till you realize what you leave behind."

"Remember Me Well," is a soft, acoustic guitar track that ends the album beautifully. Even though this one is the most reminiscent of Sarah's first CD, her voice is somehow older and wiser - retaining the rock sound discovered on this CD. "Cherishing the good times - forgiving all the bad times - moving on - remember me well."

My hope is that those who find themselves in abusive relationships also find one of Sarah's CDs in their hand, so that they can hear for themselves that there is a way out, and a better way to live. "I lived in place of quiet fear for so many years, keeping silent about the cycle of abusive relationships in my life. When I started to experience that release in the songs I wrote, played, and performed, I woke up and realized that I didn't need to live that way," says Sarah. "My prayer is to do the same for others." Find your voice - and one of Sarah's new CDs today!

For more information on Sarah, visit her website at www.SarahKelly.com.