Reviewed by Steven Bridge

Tenth Avenue North took their name from a major road in Palm Beach, Florida and have quickly shot to the CCM big-time with a major selling album debut and being designated Newcomer Of The Year at The Doves. With Mike Donehey on lead vocals and acoustic guitar, Jeff Owen on electric guitar and vocals, and Jason Jamison on drums they make smoothly produced pop rock brimming with radio hooks and memorable lyrics. The opening track, 'Healing Begins', sets the tone for the heartfelt product. Lead singer Mike Donehey sums it up, "On this record I really tried to be honest about how messed up I am. We wanted it to be a collision between our hearts and God's truth. His grace collides with the dark inside of us. His blood can cover us and I'm trying to call people out and say, 'Look, please do not hide your darkness. Expose that to the light.' I know that's the scariest thought, but it's where freedom and healing starts to take place. It's where it all starts to happen." So this is a upbeat, things are looking up (John 10:10 up-north!) album, like light shining on photographic paper to produce a positive picture. Of course in a digital age that might be lost on some of you as with camera obscura, but Donehey pinpoints where most of us are - in-between light and dark. Some might say shades of grey. But I challenge you to listen to the brilliant track 'All The Pretty Things' and find a resonance with the words that go straight to the heart; And then listen to the cut 'On And On' to move you with emotion as you hear God's heart for you.

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Rarely has a new band delivered an album with more emotional punch than Tenth Avenue North’s 2008 debut Over and Underneath. Musically inventive and lyrically compelling, the collection helped earn the band many accolades.

Their second album is one of the most highly-anticipated releases of the year. With one listen to The Light Meets The Dark, it becomes obvious the band has taken a bold next step on their musical journey.

Once again the songs are poignant and powerful, and, in recording the new tunes, the band brings a more seasoned level of musicianship and intensity, honed from relentless touring.

“It’s been kind of crazy I guess when you think about it,” Mike says with a smile. “In a lot of ways, we don’t feel like anything has changed. When we get up on a stage, more people are there to see us play and more people are familiar with the songs, but the objective really hasn’t changed. The objective is for people to encounter truth and be changed.”