Reviewed by Claudia Bailey

Mai Pope is well known to a lot of people in the mainstream music scene, particularly in Wales where he has had much TV exposure. You can tell that Mal is a mature songwriter by his lyrics. But it's the music that lets him down. Everything on 'Copper Kingdom' sounds like it was done in the '80s which limits its appeal. Mal can craft a song and has the ability to write about his faith without bashing you over the head with Christian jargon. The best song on the album is "Cover Me" and it is the most radio friendly. But having brill lyrics doesn't stop the dated pop rock arrangements from palling. Maybe Mal was striving for a retro sound. But whatever his intention, this gifted singer/songwriter should have done a lot better.

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