Reviewed by Trevor Kirk

After her acclaimed 1998 eponymously titled debut and appearances on various compilation and concept albums, including ‘The Mercy Project’ and ‘Left Behind Worship’, Jill’s third full album (her second, ‘God & Money’ was an indie release) appears at a time when her personal life, or rather that of her husband, is under close scrutiny, and the recent death of her father hasn’t helped. If all that baggage deflects attention from this release, then it’d be a pity, because this is well up to scratch; good quality, thinking person’s pop, with clear vocals, excellent production and a strong message in every song, and a very impressive cast list along for the ride, including Phil Madeira, Matt Slocum of Sixpence None The Richer, Bebo Norman, Andrew Peterson, and Steven Mason of Jars Of Clay. All the problems that Jill’s faced and overcome in her life have worked together for good: the very first track on the album, released as a single in the USA, “Wrecking Ball” is all about how God uses adversity to build character, and the rest of the album is in the same vein. Not happy-clappy by any means, but well worth your attention nonetheless.

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