Reviewed by Lins Honeyman

Toronto-based singer/songwriter Franklin McKay has previously had success on the Billboard adult contemporary charts and it's easy to hear why. Sounding uncannily like Aussie '80s pop star Jason Donovan, McKay opens proceedings with the upbeat "A Gift From Above" which sets the scene for a six-track collection of the kind of optimistic pop that Gary Barlow has pioneered over the years. In fact, the faith-referencing "When I Found You" - complete with layered harmonies, catchy hook and uptempo setting - sounds as though it could have come straight from a latter day Take That album. The remainder follows in much the same vein. Whilst not breaking any new boundaries artistically, the end product is of a decent standard and is accessible enough to enable mainstream ears to hear of the difference a relationship with God will make. Only "All That Matters", a somewhat laboured but well-meaning lament about reaching 40 which includes a painful line that rhymes "guitar" with "abattoir", misses the mark.

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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