Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

I first heard this album during the Cross Rhythms festival when Kingsway A&R supremo Les Moir played it very loudly to me at the Kingsway stall. Wow! I was immediately knocked out!! Built mainly around Brian's acoustic guitar and gruff voice, this is one cookin' album. Imagine combining a large piece of Kevin Prosch with a smattering of Van Morrison and a little bit of the acoustic end of Bryn Haworth and you get an idea of the sound of this. Plenty of rootsy stuff happening but on top of the music which immediately grabbed me, Brian Houston writes lyrics which have a prophetic edge and unsurprisingly, they touch me. The opening rockier enthusiasm of "Blessings" sets up the album but it's "I Will Enter" which first got my attention from it's acoustic rhythm and lazy shuffle augmented by some wonderful accordion and singalong sha la la las. Brilliant! "Miracle In My Heart" is a plea for God to move deep within and "Little Bit More" continues that thought with its yearning desire for more of God. These songs provoke a similar response in my heart. The Van Morrison influence comes out strongest on "Seek First" which is another highlight featuring some great piano work. If you love any of the influences I've mentioned here, you're going to get off on this stuff. As for me, it's just a question of pressing that repeat button one more time!

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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