Reviewed by Tony Cummings

This is the album long-term followers of Christian music have been longing to hear, featuring as it does the return of one of Christendom's most dazzling talents. In recent years we have enjoyed Steve Taylor's productions and lyric writing for acts like Sixpence None The Richer, Guardian and the Newsboys and admired Steve's move into film direction (The Second Chance, Blue Like Jazz). But nothing could quite fill the void once this man of many talents stopped recording and gigging. Returning, after 21 years, Taylor has pulled off a masterstroke by choosing as his accompanists guitarist Jimmy Abegg (A Ragamuffin Band), bassist Jon Mark Painter (Fleming & John) and drummer Peter Furler (Newsboys). They are indeed a perfect foil to Taylor's unique way with songs. And what songs! The opener "Only A Ride" brilliantly encapsulates the spirit of the Rolling Stones with a biting guitar riff and a vocal which knowingly uses the images of amusement park rides to explore the pointlessness of a thrillseeking life; "Comedian" with its acerbic observations ("Man makes plans. God laughs"); and the expression of sheer thankfulness on "A Life Preserved" - a song first heard on the Blue Like Jazz soundtrack ("Calling me out of the shallows of my world/Called to something graceful and true/Gratitude is too cheap word for all you've reassembled/From the spirit broken and unnerved - a life preserved"). It's not just Taylor's masterly way with words which keeps the listener glued to the stereo speakers. There's the full throttle rockabilly rhythms of "Double Negative", the punk rock fire of "Rubberneck"; and the new wave thrust of "Standing In Line" - wherever one delves on 'Goliath' one finds modern rock happily prepared to make references to yesteryear but also consistently applying a new coat of production paint. The latest news that Steve and The Foil are now working with avant-gardist Daniel Smith on a new EP assures us all that 'Goliath' isn't just a reminder of past achievements but a starting block for a whole new creative era for the veteran. Welcome back Steve.

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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