Reviewed by Matthew Griggs

Here is an uplifting, yet challenging album from the Texas-based singer/songwriter who has achieved considerable success on the US scene. Todd's voice has an earthy, slightly rasping quality, but not enough to take away the delicacy from this group of songs which convey an intimacy and reflective mood. There is an undeniably bluesy feel about some songs with "Love Your Neighbour" and "Loved" both swaying along smoothly with the assistance of Sadler Vaden's subtle electric guitar - not too distant to what you'd hear on a John Mayer record. The highlight of 'How To Be Loved' is the closer "Your Great Name", which builds to an epic and powerful, string-laden climax. The entire album is quiet in mood and never moves up to a higher gear. But the well crafted songwriting and sensitive playing ensure you're still listening at the close.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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The latest release from the artist who first came to prominence with the song Grace Like Rain.

How To Be Loved is Todd’s newest project and his 6th studio recording. Produced by Paul Ebersold (Skillet, 3 Doors Down), How To Be Loved offers a pop-inspired collection of songs like God Undefeatable, The One You Want, and There’s Coming A Day.

Agnew’s best-known song is a version of the hymn Amazing Grace called Grace Like Rain that was featured on his first album, Grace Like Rain, released in June 2003. Since then, Agnew has released four albums. 2005’s Reflection of Something introduced the popular songs My Jesus and Unchanging One. In late 2006, after the two highly acclaimed studio projects, he wrote a retelling of the Christmas story on his album entitled Do You See What I See?. His fourth studio project, Better Questions, was released in 2007 and featured the hit single Our Great God (a duet featuring CCM artist Rebecca St. James).