Reviewed by Jonathan Bellamy

Perched somewhere between James Taylor-esque folk and Chris Rice adult contemporary sits Andrew Peterson, an artist who has released at least 10 albums and two books since the mid '90s. His longevity says something about the quality of his artistry, although the lack of significant awareness perhaps indicates an artist yet to find that impacting song that will raise him to wider appeal. Peterson's latest offering is full of reflective melody and uncommonly thoughtful lyrics. Try for example the stirring "Hosanna", with its escalating strings: "You have crushed beneath your heel the vile serpent/You have carried to the grave the black stain/You have torn apart the temple's curtain/You have beaten death at death's own game." This Easter theme knits together 11 compositions of which Peterson states: "Whenever it's time to put a new album together, I look for a common strand that connects all the songs. This time around, it was clear to me that the songs are mostly about resurrection, about the way God makes all things new." Saying that, most of the songs focus more on the resurrection we see in our lives and the world around us, and because of that a Volume I is still to be penned and recorded, dealing specifically with Christ's Easter resurrection. With Easter fast approaching, if your heart is to go deeper than the recounting of the story, but to embrace the powerful implications of the Cross and Resurrection in your life today, then this album bursts with depth and understanding to help you along.

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