Reviewed by Lins Honeyman

Recorded in the Nashville-based singer/songwriter's basement, this six track EP from Andrew Osenga sees the Caedmon's Call guitarist return to the acoustic roots of his second solo release 'Souvenirs And Postcards'. Available solely in download format from his website, all the songs on show here have been written with the help of ideas submitted by fans and the result is spectacular. Accompanied only by his guitar, the success of this collection lies not only in its simplicity but Osenga's talent for writing evocative and imaginative lyrics which spawn truly unforgettable songs in the process. Whilst there is a large dose of Americana contained within this release, Osenga cleverly turns each song on its head to allow the listener to get something fresh out of otherwise well worn subject matter. For instance, "Anna And The Aliens" is a "got to get out of this town" song with a twist which involves the obligatory angry dad and stolen Chevy with the addition of extra terrestrials and a crash landed spaceship whilst "Wanted" is a gentle ballad of longing amidst an apocalyptic backdrop. The overall feel of this collection is of a man searching for something more than just the physical and material in this world and there are hints of faith in God in tracks such as "Swing Wide The Glimmering Gates" and "The Blessing Curse". This is an extremely accessible and thrilling release from a songwriter who, if there's any justice in the music world, will soon receive the recognition he deserves.

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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