Reviewed by Peter Bate

Stuart Adamson's recent appearance on Randy Stonehill's number one CCM track "Face Of God" has caused a stir surrounding the possible conversion of the Big Country frontman. Before his worrying disappear­ance in November, the Nashville-baseu Scot denied he'd embraced Christianity white admitting his life had taken a "spiritual" turn for the better. If that's the case then imagery on his group's first studio album for four years certainly owes more to the 8ible than Adamson cares to admit. What's more, it's the strongest collection of songs the band have put together in a decade. The opening title track describes an encounter with a mysterious other-worldly figure, while the lines, "Your heart is an altar/l kneel in disgrace/Awaiting redemption/My sin on my face," on "Grace" seem to speak for themselves. Also striking is "Somebody Else", a riff-driven number co-written with Kinks legend Ray Davies which chronicles Adamson's painful divorce. Elsewhere, his work with top country and roots artists in the US shows through on "Trouble The Waters" and recent singles "Fragile Thing" and "See You". Enjoy the album and pray that this troubled songwriter will truly grasp the light.

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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