Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

4Him's latest release combines those characteristic strong vocal harmonies with some meaty songwriting and the production skills of Messrs Omartian and Baumgart as well as the cream of Nashville musicianship. You'd be right in guessing that this is a classy affair. From the breezy pop of the opener "Lay It All On The Line" through to the atmospheric downbeat closer The Greatest Story Ever Told", this album has its share of catchy tunes and strong performances. My faves include the strident "The Measure Of A Man" which reminds us that God looks on the heart when the world is so concerned with exteriors. Lyrically, there is a new maturity in the songwriting. The title song boils down all our Christian culture and distils it into a prayer - "To live a love that never fails/Love my neighbour as myself and to give until there is nothing left to give/To live a faith that never dies/To be crucified with Christ until all that lives through me is the message." Beautiful in its simplicity, don't you think? Musically, this won't always appeal to British ears and occasionally I wondered if it was a triumph of gloss over substance but when it comes to Nashville-style CCM pop, few do it better than 4Him.

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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