Reviewed by Dancin' Dave Derbyshire

This is an independent release that you can buy from Strive's website www.strivefans.com where you can also get their previous EP for free. This Chicago-based band say that they want to shape contemporary culture with their music. It looks like this ambitious band are making a start on this judging by the airplay they are receiving, the fact that their music has made its way into a computer game and that they have toured internationally promoting AIDS awareness. Despite these credentials at first I just wasn't sure about this band. The mix of piano, guitar and backing vocals sounded somewhat bland and I couldn't quite get into it. But as I listened I began to appreciate their sound and realised that the songs are well written with original lyrics. Listening to this album now I feel that the tracks hold their own alongside many mainstream numbers that are out there. Yes, this is an album you will grow to love.