The feel of the song by Rodney Banks, Love You for a Lifetime, is smooth and heartfelt and you cannot help but get sucked into the song at the very first note. It is crystal-clear and at the same time, it is not over-polished, which is the exact right balance, making all the sounds professional yet still possessing that beautiful warmth and authenticity. You know that there was some real care in making this one.
It is the lead female vocals that make the entire thing, it is expressive and soulful in this uncomplicated manner, sliding over the soft arrangement as though it is theirs. The delivery is so natural that all words seem authentic and worn-in, rather than acted upon. You believe what she is singing, and that is half the battle won at that.
The most shocking part of it is that the chorus provides such a strong emotional blow that you are taken by surprise. It is catchy in the most ideal sense of the word, the type of hook that makes you go back to listen to the song multiple times because you desire to experience that feeling once again. The harmonies that have been incorporated in the background are very subtle, and this additional coziness becomes the entire song of a pleasant hug.
Even the arrangement is very well-behaved without crowding out the vocal, or attempting to do too much. Everything has its time and space, making room to the emotion to actually drop and hit home. The songwriting here has a maturity, which addresses the true craftsmanship, and not merely following the trends.
Love You for a Lifetime is truly a good piece of work which demonstrates true potential. It is evident that Banks has discovered a sound that is quite special to Them, that mix of smoothness and soul, accessibility and depth. It is the type of music that leaves an imprint in your mind and you find yourself repeating the song even after it has ended playing. Most beautiful stuff, and I am interested to see whither this musical turn of him leads.