Reviewed by Philip Taylor

Tom is the lead singer of Southampton-based grassroots band Crossbeam. This, his first solo project was recorded at the University of Liverpool and contains eight songs reflecting on life, faith and the world. The first thing that hits me on almost every track is an undercurrent or feel of something liturgical. It could be the high lead voice or the well thought out and very nice harmonies. It could also be the lyrical content driving it, as on some tracks, the vocal is just sung Scripture. There is some good musicality on this record. With a generally acoustic feel for most of the album, there is an electric guitar giving depth on most tracks. The most annoying issue with the album as a whole is the sloppy lead vocal. "Come Living Waters" is a highlight as it strays from the norm and is driven by drums from the outset which gives the song a fresher feel. The dynamics on this song are well worked and the vocal sits back in the mix. The title track is another great piece, using synths as a bed and working the subtleties beautifully to ensure the lyrics are given the best opportunity to shine. A well put together song telling us that "Heaven is an open door". In conclusion, this album is a great set of songs, put together well and finishing on a real high, the last three tracks standing out. It is shame therefore about the quality of the lead vocals on some of the other tracks.

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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