Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

Birmingham-based Benjamin Blower is a troubled soul. He looks at the world around him and is unsettled by the spirit of the age. I want to call this album "prophetic" in the true sense of the word and Blower sounds like an Old Testament prophet, ranting against the system for anyone who has ears to hear. Then again, he might just be an unhinged crazy with a long beard. He dresses his thoughts in the unusual clothes of an indie music which is loose, organic and totally compelling. Quite often he settles on fabulously weird grooves and chants or songs just seem to propel themselves along. I have to confess after numerous listens, there is still plenty here that I don't fully understand but with each listen, something fresh grabs me. Highlights? There are many: I love "I'm Ready To Climb This Mountain And Die" which has a weary Moses sharing snapshots of his life. I wish that the snappy "Better Be Ready" was longer and he had cleared his throat before singing "Why Should You Give A Damn About Me?". But these are small and not quite serious quibbles. In a world that has turned its back on God, I'm glad for an artist like Blower who is willing to sing uncomfortable truths and make us think about bigger realities. Isn't that the role of a prophet?

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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