Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

In a world that seems to be full of cheesy MOR worship pap (every reviewer's nemesis) it's so good to find a worship project which is middle of the road without being bland or sugary. The Frontline Worship Band are gifted in having two great vocalists. Karen Beacham and songwriter Ricky Hall who are able to communicate the emotional power of a song without going into OTT flashness. The strength of this recording is twofold, Firstly, the opening songs have an edgier rock sound that gives them a grittier taste and "Launching Out" has a compelling funkiness. They really hit their stride with "It Is Not The Dead" with a chorus catchier than the proverbial common cold which nagged at me for days after I first heard the song. The second half of the album turns up the all out devotional heat of songs that are fully intimate and declaratory. Of the latter, "Blood Of The Spotless Lamb" is as good an Easter song as you'll ever hear and "You Are Worthy, 0 Lord" has one of those refrains that you don't want to end, the song eventually goes into an expressive spontaneous passage which is great. For me, the final intimate song, "I Will Worship" did the business for me drawing me closer to God and that's what you want in a worship album. A mile away from the usual record company driven fodder that pretends to be worship, this one has a nice MOR sound enriched by a feeling of reality which I wholly welcome.

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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