Reviewed by Chris Tozer

A man of many musical hats, Fred Bettge prefers to trade under just his surname which is pronounced Bet-key. This, his third album, has already caught the attention of CCM Magazine in the States – high praise for any aspiring independent Christian artist. That said, Fred is no spring chicken, as this superb one man band collection of 1970’s stadium rock anthems makes crystal clear. Bettge’s influences range from Sting and Steely Dan to Jesus Rock musos Paul Clark and Tom Howard as he blazes a path through gems such as "Eye Of The Storm", "Chasing The Wind" and standout track "The Flame". These, by way of contrast, are interspersed with Fred’s personal blend of chill-out instrumental interludes, which stop short of giving the album an uneven feel. This vibrant collection is proof indeed that one man's homegrown indie production certainly can bring a breath of fresh air to the Christian music scene. Try it.

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.

Interested in reviewing music? Find out more here.