Reviewed by Mark Nichol

Warren Barfield's self-titled debut album was released in 2003 to instant critical acclaim, earning him two Top 10 CCM chart singles and a tour supporting Third Day. Barfield evidently wrote the follow up, 'Reach', after a period of trial in his life, and its catchy pop hooks often mask reflective lyrics which appear tinged with hardship. There's a thread of honesty and realism running through this album - the opening line, for example, reads "there's a time in everyone's life when everything falls" - but it often goes unnoticed because of the dominating upbeat, acoustic rock feel. There's a natural warmth to 'Reach' and it mostly sounds like a good band playing together, rather than a group of session musicians backing a solo artist. Barfield knows how to write a proper sing-along chorus too, as showcased in standout track "Beyond The Walls". However, it does dip towards the end, which for a short album released after such a long break (it only has 10 tracks and it took almost three years) is a disappointment. All things considered though, this is probably one of the better American CCM records you'll hear this year.

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