Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Look at US charts this issue - see what's at number 5. Yep, this one. So OK, we Brits have never heard of them but that's because this contemporary harmony group have never played the UK and being classy pop rather than sec-cred rad will never find themselves with an invitation to play Greenbelt. Which is a shame as these guys are great and this album is a fine intelligent pop album with plenty of spiritual message. The genesis of the group is Truth, an MOR pop gospel choir who for 20 years have been a training college for various Christian music ministries. Dick and Mel Tunney and producer Steven V Taylor passed through Truth's ranks while Marty Magehee, Mark Harris, Andy Chrisman and Kirk Sullivan left Truth in 1990 to become the hottest new vocal ensemble in Christian music. In many ways their sound and direction reflects the legacy of those veteran vocal pioneers the Imperials and like the Imps, 4 Him mix lush MOR harmonising, pop hooks and just a tinge of soul. (Soul gospel buffs will be intrigued to see Commissioned man Fred Hammond one of the bevy of producers on 'The Basics Of Life'.) There's plenty of stylistic diversity - a bit of power pop on "Freedom" and "When It Comes To Living" and some country overtones on "Built On Amazing Grace". But mainly there are lots and lots of classy adult balladry. Many of the songs deal with the theme of finding a simple faith in an increasingly complicated world and stirring stuff it is. In its own way, a great album.

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