Reviewed by Tony Cummings

The next time one of those smug know-nothings comes on with all those clichés about contemporary Christian music not being as good as the world's, sit them down in front of your music centre and give them a high-decibel headful of this new one from America's finest rock gospel singer. A superlative album which reverberates with musical intelligence and ingenious pop and rock arrangements yet never pulls the spiritual-punches. Instead we're given music which ranges from rock funk (grab the careering title track with a bass line funky enough to make Bootsy Collins give up bass for triangle - probably done on a sampler but hot for all that) through to Margaret's forte - tremulous ballads which give that whisper-to-a-scream voice full scope. Possibly my favourite is "Steps Of Faith" which builds into an astonishing climax with Hammond and chorus locked in spiralling union and Margaret going-for-broke with octave leaps which would seriously upset any storefront congregation. But then there's the pulsating "I Will Not Lay Down"...and always, those beautiful, spirit-lifting ballads of faith. A brilliant album. Now get out there and buy it.

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