Reviewed by Tony Cummings

There have been years of dues paying and literally thousands of people touched by this team’s ministry behind this debut. I am pleased to report it’s been worth the wait with the band’s strengths: that appealing lilt of Lynne Fray’s bitter sweet vocals; hooky , attractive melodies; and arrangements that bring some nice twists to the standard pop rock formula, all much in evidence here. That title isn’t, of course, a rip off of the Newsboys smash hit, or a reference to a previous Greenbelt, but a Scripture reference used in the engaging “Jesus Played Guitar”. But if that might be just a tad formulaic there’s much else to investigate here. Some of the cuts guaranteed to creep up on you are a lovely acoustic version of their haunting ballad “East To West” (first heard on the band’s 1997 EP and long a standout of their live set) – a song which to my ears seems guaranteed to make it onto inspirational radio playlist; the slinkily soulful “Venice Beach” which shimmers with California sunshine (no mean feat for a band from Dudley) and another, gigs-seasoned oldie “Power” turned into a Latin lilter. Yep, the talent is there. A band of musicianaries who’ve touched so many down the years this deserves to sell by the bushel load.

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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