Reviewed by Anthony Longville

Here's a four-piece band who are blazing a trail across the US with a heart for rocking worship and a love of "communicating his truth through music." This is their fourth album release on their independent label. What we have here is 10 worship songs, four of which are self-penned by Joseph King Barkley. The rest are well known worship numbers, including three by Matt Redman and Tim Hughes' "Here I Am To Worship". With so many covers the overwhelming feeling is that, judging the CD as a CD, there's nothing particularly original here. It's well played and the vocal delivery is strong after a somewhat wobbly start on the opening track. No one who heard Keith Green sing "O Lord You're Beautiful" could forget the emotion and passion of that performance. The cover here is I am afraid a pale shadow which leaves you longing for Mr Green's piano and vocals. Having said all that, this album is a fair representation of what the band are doing and I can well believe that for the young worshippers of the US, to catch this band in a live context would be a powerful experience. One last note to the sleeve designer. The last song on the album is not "Blessed Be The Name Of The Lord" (kid's action song anyone?), but Redman's "Blessed Be Your Name".

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.