Reviewed by Ian Thomson

"Stuck in the '80s" was my first thought on hearing this new release from Andy Oakes. Big reverberating snare drums, simplistic arrangements and clichéd lyrics abound here. I'm a child of the '80s and I enjoyed Petra and their contemporaries when they were still contemporary. But Andi Oakes is 20 years late on the scene. That said, there's not a lot wrong with the album. Andi's website proudly announces that this record was made in Nashville with some of the best musicians in the industry. Certainly, there is professionalism to the production that we have come to expect from Tennessee. The message Andi communicates is encouraging and true to the Gospel. It is also abundantly clear that, if anything, it suffers from being a little on the plain side. These songs are not congregational worship; they are too personal and introspective for that.

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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