Reviewed by Ian Hayter

Richard Birch originally hails from Darwen in Lancashire and has long harboured the desire to write an album. He's finally got round to it and has, in fact, recorded so much material that it comes to Joe Public in four albums, each with its own style ('The Supplicata', for example, is an orchestral album). This 12-track release is in the pop vein, but has a wide variety of styles, including pure pop, rock, ska and ballads. Mr Birch is clearly a gifted musician, providing vocals, keyboards and programming, and a very good producer, drawing together some great performances from a range of instrumentalists, including some fine guitar work from Alan Gregson and uplifting brass arrangements from Ade Boardman, Jon Bibke and Gerard McDonald. The opening title track leads into a bouncy "Alleluia" and 10 more songs which mix praise and worship with great visions of God's greatness and cries for more of his Spirit ("Fill Me With Your Fire") and for greater love and understanding between people. Sales of the album will help a number of Christian charities.

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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