Like a Seed

by Steve MatteoOn his first Little David release, Rankin almost hits full stride. His reworking of "Peaceful" brought the song, and ultimately Rankin, a wider audience. The album eschews some of the preciousness of previous efforts and has a more universal appeal. Songs like the title cut and "Stringman" spotlight Rankin's continued growth as a songwriter. His songwriting, along with his gorgeous voice and unique and jazzy acoustic guitar prowess on the record, made him one of the staples of FM radio, a trend that would continue through his next few albums. As good as the record is, it merely sets the tone for Rankin's next few recordings, which represent truly his best.