Reviewed by Tony Cummings

The musical partnership between Liverpool-based worship leader Ian Yates and Irish-born producer Trevor Michael, which so entranced those who discovered Ian's 2010 album 'The Hope And The Glory' album, is here taken to fresh heights. From the arresting opener where over a haunting musical bed a sampled preacher explains that, in the final analysis, Christianity is not a religion "but is the announcement of the end of religion" to the closer "You Are Here" which starts with a long fade in (one of Michael's favourite audio techniques), settles into a gently haunting piano figure, brings in Ian's husky staccato vocal and then builds relentlessly before cutting away with the emotive line "You're closer than the air I breathe" this is rich, deep, sonically satisfying worship music. To my ears the classic new song is "The Cross Changed Everything" which manages to be truly haunting yet eminently suitable for congregational worship. Almost as good is the funky pop rock cut "New". When Cross Rhythms reviewed 'The Hope And The Glory' we gave it a glowing 10 square review. We must now report that, if anything, 'Good News' is even better.

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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