Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Although this album was released in 2008 and despite the fact that Chris' track "Scars" (issued in 2010) went on to make my Spirit Of Rock & Soul 1001 Greatest Tracks Of Christian Music/Gospel programme I've only now (in July 2024) got around to hearing 'Running Back To You'. I have to say I was hugely disappointed when I did! Despite me being a big admirer of Sligh's voice which can soar with passion and soul in ways that make him one of the best rock orientated vocalists I've ever heard. Despite being a big admirer of Brown Bannister, who produced or co-produced 10 of the 13 tracks here and in his day showed himself to be one of the most skilled and reliable figures in Nashville CCM. Despite being a big admirer of record deal marketing pushes that don't concentrate on a soloist's looks which ever since the rise of Michael W Smith and Hillsong put way too much attention on appearance over music in worldly attempts to ape the visual-fixated obsessions of teenage youth (just look at the three back sleeve photos of Sligh showing him in all his bushy haired, overweight reality). And despite being an admirer of anyone to respond, as Chris did during his appearances on 2007's American Idol TV talent search, to the insidious remarks of Simon Cowell. So with all this baggage I've brought into this review how on earth can I explain my severe disappointment when I listened to 'Running Back To You' during a long car journey? The explanation is the complete lack of memorable songs. Despite occasional flashes of insightful lyrics ("Empty Me": "Empty me of me so I can be filled with you," or "Loaded Gun" dealing with our claims to be loving but never making our words match our lives), the 13 songs slip through the old grey whistle test without inducing my lips to pucker. Chris Sligh is a great vocal talent but I'd suggest that for his next album he gets other folk to write songs for him.

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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