Reviewed by Brian Carr

Healthy, that's how this reviewer views the current state of British worship. Rather than depending on the latest mega buck p&w productions from the States and Aussieland, many churches are seeking to use homegrown creative talents, writing and recording songs aided by new technology producing a fair result without spending stupid money. The result being the opportunity for new worship “sounds” to be unearthed. Jim Farrell is the leader of the worship team from Strathmore Christian Fellowship and I am sure the songs on this album are well known and used by the members of his fellowship. Production on the album has been sensitively handled with a deft touch giving a well balanced sound. Style is rootsy acoustic perhaps leaning to those who enjoy Michael Card's work. With the abundance of product being released just in worship the criteria for albums to stand out has been raised. Just as enormous rocket power is needed to get free of the earth's pull and rise to higher orbits, so any album has to have a lot going for it to send it into the broadstream and widespread acclaim. I think that this album might be restricted by a lack of variety in pace and a predictability in lyrics. Extra vocals backing Jim might have helped on tracks such as “Not To Us” but the album as a whole does serve to gently draw the listener’s heart and spirit to meditate on God.

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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