Reviewed by John Cheek

Concept albums have often had a bad press. Associated with big, bloated, rich rock stars, apparently filled with interminable guitar solos and pointless musical noodling, they are usually a heavy listen. Jesus once said, "Anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." This is a concept album about the heaviest subject of all - and yet the genius of it is that it suggests anything but. The truth therefore, can sneak in through the back door. The public face of 'This Is Awesome Cutlery' is 18 songs and sketches which focus upon two superheroes, Captain Awesomeness and Cutlery Boy (played by Brits Gareth Loh and Dan Adams), who find themselves trapped in a deep, dark place and, despite all their superpowers, recognise their need for help from an external source. Child-friendly in content, of course there will be some who will dismiss it; no doubt people who also dismiss worship featuring modern instrumentation or clergy who fail to robe-up. But hang on, if you take the trouble to listen without prejudice, this album will potentially leave you with a sense of awe and wonder. In the "Making" sketch, a profound moment for me, I realised again that God made everything out of nothing - denying all our human ideas of logic and science. This child-like take on this heavy subject confounds all sorts of atheistic and scientific attempts to explain how we came to be. Whilst the songs are mainly family-friendly sing-a-longs, there is excellent playing and singing throughout (put together by trusty producers Will and Dan Weeks) and "All Around The World" is a serious slab of mature dance-pop which could sit alongside a lot of chart singles today. "A Long, Long, Long, Long Time Ago" has a slight trip-hop feel, is reminiscent of Tinie Tempah and is all the better for it. With lyrics often Bible-based, along with a good sense of humour, this is a concept which would work well as the basis of a Sunday School presentation or even children's programmes on a Christian radio station, without spoon-feeding any answers.

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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