Reviewed by Tony Cummings

I have to confess that I was a bit underwhelmed with Chip's 'K Is For Kendall' EP, his first after leaving thebandwithnoname. It seemed a little rushed and didn't quite have the bombastic impact that tbwnn consistently delivered. But now the US-born, Stockport-based singer and rapper delivers a full length album that has the same kind of evangelistic passion and audio surprises which make for a thrilling cutting edge musical ride. Several of the songs here grew out of the various projects the musicianary is involved with at the moment. "Evolution" came out of Chip's many visits into schools with a scientist and deejay Galactus Jack. On the track Chip punches home the truth. "Answers" was inspired by Chip's visit to east India with Compassion International earlier this year while "The Old Rugged Cross" is an electro blast rearrangement of the hymn oldie which carries much of the same power that thebandwithnoname's "Amazing Grace" once encapsulated. There are a staggering seven different producers involved in 'Holy Freaks' but it still mysteriously contains a certain musical coherence as Chip merges rock and hip-hop, electro and dubstep and good old fashioned songwriting craft. The theme that runs through many of the songs here, that we are a chosen generation and that as holy freaks we should shine in the darkness, comes through loud and clear. In an age where whole sections of youth culture are lost in cynicism or materialism and where, even in the Church, there are many young believers uncomfortable in presenting the radical message of the Cross to a dying world, Chip speaks, raps and sings with an authority that few other figures in CCM seem able to muster.

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.