Reviewed by Dougie Adam

Given the widespread criticism of many children’s albums it has always surprised me that Stephen Fischbacher has so far been ignored by the likes of Spring Harvest and those who compile the latest songbooks of children’s choruses. Put simply, Fischy has to be one the best songwriters for children in the UK at the moment. Since the mid-‘90s he has released albums of an increasingly high quality on his own label. His latest album finds Lies Damned Lies man Steve Butler sharing production duties and adding some refined class to the proceedings. From start to finish this is an album of infectiously catchy pop tunes which soon have this listener singing and chanting along. All the songs are superbly recorded with great playing from the band as they mix tasteful backing, enthusiasm, humour and slip effortlessly into fun pastiche mode with a knowing wink as required. The 10 songs on this album are all based around the themes of self-esteem, bullying and friendship and just about all of them would be suitable for use in church, Sunday School and primary school assemblies for those who are trying to move away from children’s hymns and the likes of One More Step Along The World I Go and Junior Praise in these settings. It is genuinely difficult to select highlights as the quality is consistently high throughout. The one criticism is with regard to the re-recorded version of “I’m The Only I” my favourite track from Stephen’s previous album. My horror at its dance remix treatment here is probably a sign that I am just a little bit too fond of its previous incarnation! Stop press: Fischy Music are putting out a sample CD for £2 with excerpts of seven songs from his last three albums as a taster for the uninitiated… no excuses for not checking him out now!

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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