Reviewed by Nigel Harris

This is one of a new series of Integrity albums produced by Nashville studio whiz Nathan Nockels. He has pulled together a top notch team of writers and musicians, including some big name lead vocalists. Here are songs aimed at helping you remember key passages from the Bible. The emphasis is on big, contemporary production styles which, at first listen, seem to overpower the Scriptures. But if you persevere this album really grows on you. Opening track "The Heavens Declare" features Jared Anderson and is a Delirious?-style anthemic number based on Psalm 19. Another excellent vocalist Chris Rodriguez follows with "It Will Not Come Near You" in a similar style which occasionally verges on pure U2. In contrast Anderson's second track "Do Not Be Anxious" is pure Brit pop. Some of these tracks work better than others, mainly because Psalms tend to be set out like poetry already whereas books like Romans don't have the same lyrical structure so they don't fit so easily into familiar musical forms. And sometimes I wonder if the composers haven't tried a little too hard to come up with something new and different when a simpler form would have been easier for the listener to follow. Having said all that, I really like this album. Put this CD in your car and there's no doubt that these Scriptures will soon get buried deep in your 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.

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