Reviewed by Tony Cummings

It's amazing how a small nation like Canada keeps producing top quality Christian bands. Dakona from Vancouver are new to us Brits (they had an independent album out previously) but now we're warming to them with their magnificent "Richest Man" a big hit on Cross Rhythms radio. That song alone would make the discerning pop rock fan consider this album's purchase. With American evangelicalism still giving us grizzly spectacles of Rolex-bedecked health and wealth preachers or Juanita Bynum spending millions of dollars on an OTT wedding it's heartening to hear such a passionate song opposing the materialism of the age in favour of the pearl of great price ("Take my car, take my girl/I'm the richest man in the world/Steal my gold, take my pearls/I'm the richest man in the world," it goes). There are other incisive examples of lyricists Ryan McAlister's art here as the band's frontman takes on the Ku Klux Klan and others who abuse the name of God ("Slip into your white robe, to cover up your blackened heart"), the need for God to break into our lives ("I'm praying for a revelation/Could you set me free 'cause this is killing me/I'm begging for a revelation/And I know that you know the way"). Fine songs, grittily effective singing and a truly outstanding pop rock album.

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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