It feels mean to criticise Bebo Norman. He just seems like such a nice guy. So let me begin by saying that if you are the sort of person who loves Third Day, but loves them slightly less when they play their “loud songs,” you’ll probably really appreciate Ocean.

But here’s my problem with Norman’s work: It’s the kind of adult-pop CCM that is buffed to a glistening sheen. Musically and lyrically, everything is silky smooth. When Norman “falls down” he’s only moments away from seeing that God is really “everything I hoped [he’d] be.” If there is doubt in a verse, certainty and comfort is bound to follow in the chorus.

It’s not that I have a problem with encouraging music, but the cumulative musical and lyrical effect is a bit like looking at a heavily Photoshopped picture. It’s all a little too clean and perfect to carry much real emotional weight. Every now and then Norman seems to reach for a pleasant, Eagles-influenced folk-rock sound, but sadly more often than not he ends up landing in Disney soundtrack territory instead.

Two and a half stars out of five.