Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Phil Goss has had a long and productive run in Christian music. As the owner and chief engineer of Appletree Studios in Buckinghamshire, he has played on and often produced dozens of UK Christian music albums. As the singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist of As If. he has stewarded the group through the difficult and challenging waters of the scene. Festival goers in years gone by enjoyed As If's quirky, left of centre pop rock. Their Cross Rhythms radio hits like "Fear No Evil" (1996) and "Lost Or Found" (1999) showed Phil and his bandmates knew how to create music that was non-formulaic but which had the hooks and appeal to make it appealing to a radio audience.
This release, on CD, is most welcome. As If. show that they still have a huge resource of creativity. I say "they" though in fact, while he's still in good relationship with his bandmates, 'The Waving Man' was recorded almost entirely by Phil alone. If you are a traditionalist insisting that a real kit is always going to sound better than programming, listen carefully to the electronic drums wizardry of the mega-length (16'22") final title track. This has almost turned this reviewer into a prog rock fan such is its multi-tempo invention and its rhythmic surprises. Phil came to record 'The Waving Man' after he had (a) contracted cancer and (b) received vision and revelation from God. His pastor advised Phil to make his album personal. So instead of As If's wry and insightful commentary on the state of the world, this set is full of songs and lyrics some bold and direct, some mysterious and enigmatic, just like the "words2 from God that inspired these songs. If you thought British Christian music no longer existed other than that created for Christian music, think again. 'The Waving Man' is a classic of its kind and deserves to be heard by all who long to hear a British voice alongside all those American ones still offering quality and inventive pop rock.

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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