Reviewed by Tony Cummings

As followers of US music will know, Jeremy has enjoyed huge success in the insular CCM world though if you believe some hipster style critics Jeremy has gradually lost his creative edge for a safer formulaic pop rock sound in accordance with the demands of current Christian radio. But then other critics have praised the singer/songwriter's determination to stay true to his calling to convey spiritual truth in simple songs uncluttered with oblique metaphor and complex musical trappings. This, Jeremy's first album for two years, has continued to split the critics. For me 'I Will Follow' is an excellent album and amongst the songsmith's best. There's a nice edge to the opener "Living Word Of God", "Finally Home" resembles Train's "Hey Soul Sister", while "Can't Be Moved" has an anthemic feel not dissimilar to the best of Queen. But if this sounds like Camp is simply recycling mainstream musical ideas, he is no more guilty of this than thousands of other recording artists. Also, an overly critical view of Jeremy's music ignores the passion of Jeremy's vocals and the occasional eloquence of his best lyrics. Take, for instance, "Christ In Me". There is nothing formulaic here. "In this obsession with the things the world says make me happy/Can't see the slaves we are in all the searching all the grasping/Like we deserve much more than all the blessing we're holding/So now I'm running free into an ocean of mercy unending." Listening to this outstanding song and indeed the whole album leads me to the conclusion that those jaundiced reviewers are badly undervaluing Jeremy's talent.

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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