The Gospel According To Levi by Levi Kreis

But what if that voice was one of there own? Could the suggestion of religious tolerance be effectively conveyed if it were spoken in a language the church could understand? After going through 6 years of reparative therapy to become straight, after being dismissed from his Baptist college, and after losing a record deal with a major Christian label, Levi Kreis is determined to be a voice of tolerance for an institution that is scarcely known for its acceptance of beliefs outside of their own.

Levi's ability to craft a contagious hook may have seized the attention of industry moguls such as Ron Fair, Jason Flom, Desmond Child, David Foster and Monte Lipman but his unabashed lyrical honesty is what makes the whole world stop and listen. His new CD, "The Gospel According To Levi", has him utilizing that self-expression more than ever convincing any listener to re-evaluate the world around us.

The CD opens with a Scott Joplin style stride piano as a playful vehicle for a very serious, if not dark, lyric.

"The Reckoning" doesn't stop at making light of the shortcomings of music industry moguls, but continues onward to challenge religious authorities who've made the church a place where we learn to hate ourselves.

"Bittersweet Salvation" works along the same lines with lyrics like: "You told me nothing good would I find inside/You told me of redemption for such a worm as I/I through myself upon the body of your Christ/Abhorring all I was and all I felt inside." The chorus is a clear denunciation of organized religion. "Reach out to me/Somebody tell me where love is hiding/I now believe that there's no truth in this Bittersweet Salvation."

"In The Name Of God" brings things from personal to global sighting many historic moments where oppression has occurred in God's name. Kreis writes: "I forbid you to marry other races/Won't allow you to marry same sexes/And I believe a woman doesn't have the right to vote/The Bible says so/And I'll fight for the right to have slave hands/The priesthood was never meant for the black man/You want equality but you defile His name/ So I take it away in the Name of God."

This body of work is not without its effective offerings of hope. "Futurelove" is a funky "Car Wash"-type groove urging us to expand upon our beliefs to embrace others who may adhere to a different faith.

"We're Okay"  would fit effortlessly in any teen-angst one-hour drama as it's a song for Kreis' mother expressing his commitment to talk out their differences.

The CD even ends with a couple of hymns; one penned by Kreis himself. The last track is the old hymn "It Is Well With My Soul" suggesting that with all the confrontational speak, there is an unavoidable fondness Kreis still has for his religious roots.

Levi is ready to take his career to the next level. Already, Levi has had song placements on "Days Of Our Lives" and "The Young And The Restless" and has shared the stage with Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock, Snoop Dog and Collective Soul. He opened for Cyndi Lauper at Wrigley Field during the closing ceremonies of Gay Games Chicago in 06 during a national tour sponsored by Gay.com. Levi also played Matthew McConaughey's brother in Liongate's 2001 film "Frailty." Check out www.levikreis.com for more information.

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