STYLE: Rock RATING OUR PRODUCT CODE: 10424-CAS2051 LABEL: Independent FORMAT: Cassette Album
Reviewed by Dancin' Dave Derbyshire
I understand that this rock singer has a youth ministry, is currently touring with his new band Screaming Souls in the New England area and he's a Catholic. As I first played this I was hit by his powerful voice backed with a strong drum beat, bass and keyboard used to maximum effect. I could imagine him being a natural on stage. On some tracks like the funky "Soul Power" he plays a howling electric guitar whereas on others he produces more acoustic sets with the nice addition of his harmonica. In "Screaming Blues" he really lets rip, adding a touch of blues into his repertoire. This could easily have been the best song on the album if it wasn't for the slight distortion due to the volume. A careful examination of the lyrics reveal that these songs portray a deep relationship with God. They are about being real, about letting your love flow like a river in worship to God, reaching out for the power of the Holy Spirit, about forgiving one another and about learning to trust after being betrayed. This man asks some hard questions of God in "I Question You". And, I feel, these questions are asked out of faith rather than doubt. Finally, just as the Psalms express the full range of human emotion in worship to God, in "Screaming Blues" Barry Kingston brings his rage and depression evoked by the injustices of the world. Overall, I found 'Nothing But Real' to be a fully enjoyable sound with deep poignant lyrics.
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.
Interested in reviewing music? Find out
more here.