Reviewed by Andrew Townend

The snow-topped mountains near Calgary have provided an exquisite backdrop to the locals for millennia. Now, stealing their limelight (well, at least for 25 minutes) is local indie rockers, AM Carnival, with their first EP, and it is a stirling effort. Beginning with "All We Are", the listener is reminded of former CCM heavyweights, Delirious?, in their 'World Service' era. In fact, the drummer of the gone-but-not-forgotten Tree63, Darryl Swart, is a member of AM Carnival. Upon initial listening, you realise how determined and passionate they are about our "Awesome God" - an exceptionally done, drum-driven cover of a now deceased patriarch of modern Christian music, Rich Mullins. "Hallelujah" is an abridged version of Psalm 62 and "The Wonderful Cross'" slightly oriental sound would make it a good accompaniment if you were wandering through a desert. The record closes on the acoustic "I'm Alive", a gentle and stirring worship song, with words that would be right as rain coming from the projectors of some churches ("Who am I, oh God, that you should know my name, or call me friend"). Overall, it is a fantastic opening effort, and you can expect more from these four young Calgarians in the not-so-distant future.

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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