by Thom OwensCollin Raye waited three years to deliver an official studio follow-up to his hit 1995 album I Think About You. That record was dominated by ballads, as is its successor, The Walls Came Down. Certainly, Raye's smooth country tenor is ideal for country-pop ballads like "In This Life," but he runs the risk of sounding a little too samey, which is what happens on The Walls Came Down. There are a number of very good songs here, including the ballad "I Can Still Feel You," but since the record offers no surprises, it winds up sounding a little like a holding pattern instead of a step forward, even with bold message songs like the anti-child abuse "The Eleventh Commandment" -- and after three years out of commission, it isn't unreasonable to expect a move forward. Nevertheless, the album is impeccably crafted and Raye's voice sounds as rich and smooth as ever, which makes The Walls Came Down a solid record, especially for fans.