Reviewed by Simon Eden

With a sharp wit, coarse acoustic guitar and a blues harmonica to hand Dale continues to provide a soundtrack to a prairie fireside with this his fifth album. In a style strongly influenced by Bob Dylan's 1960's folk period, Dale presents his witty tales of life. "The Soldier" sings in the desert far from home, if he will ever make it back at all, in a metaphorical twisting of Iraq with the Babylonian exile. "A Song For My Bride" has the bluntly realistic lyrics "till death do us part, even when I'm a fart" just after the line that invites martial strife "I'm sure she is not like her Mum"! Based on that, the track "Brown Noise" had me worried, but it turned out that it was one of the several instrumental tracks, although with a little howling. Other tracks leave you running for an encyclopaedia such as "Koinonia" which may be music intended for Communion, and "Xylocaine Brain". "Before The Throne" is a track that follows a more familiar structure, with worship lyrics such as "We glory in your name" and its bluesy country tone.

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