Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

Admiral Cummings and I often despair at what seems to be the difficulty that Americans have when it comes to creating dance music. We've heard too many Nitro Praise albums to get too excited when an American dance album pops through the letter box. They call it electronica over there, which immediately makes us suspicious. However, amidst a certain amount of mediocrity People In A Box always seem to hit the mark and this, their second album, is packed with goodies. The brainchild of main man Kurt Kirton, a variety of dance grooves and re-mixes, this manages to marry plenty of melody and good songs with beats and arrangements that work. So what do I like? Favourite is "Launch Window" which sounds suitably spacey with a solid groove without becoming monotonous. The Zarc Porter dance mix of "Together" is excellent though the other version here is pretty dull. There's a reworking of the worship song "You Said" featuring Barry Blaze which is great with its corresponding trance mix giving an interesting alternative. Kurt Kirton is nothing if not adventurous taking in Latin influences on "Holy & Exalted" and managing to add a country fiddle and banjo to "Dance & Party". The results are brilliant! Dance country anyone? I'm waiting for outbreaks of line dancing in clubs! Independently produced and a labour of love for the frontman, People In A Box are to be applauded for their achievements here.

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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