Reviewed by Martin Saunders

Fast and addictive, the jangling, U2-esque opening bars of this album promise much. In reality, "Lift A Shout" is a collection that champions the virtues of averageness. A series of non-eventful tracks which lead one into another with little variation and without ever trying to be in the least inventive, it is nevertheless the kind of offering that fills shelves and sells well. If ever the word "nice" was applicable in a review, then it is surely here. By nature however, an average album is not a bad one. There are a couple of nice guitar solos, the occasional touch of lyrical poignancy, and even one standout track, the passionate "Your Holiness Is Beautiful". Even that ballad however, set as it is in one of those artificially created lulls between faster tracks, is the kind of fare that you can't help thinking you've heard 10 times before. So, "nice" as it is, it's certainly not the sort of album that you'd wear out with continuous playing. Interspersed quite unnecessarily with the worship leader's predictable banter, this series of home-grown praise songs is pleasing to the ear, but uninspiring to the heart.

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.

Interested in reviewing music? Find out more here.