Reviewed by Lins Honeyman

Dedicated to musicians who have played a part in his ministry, this the third release from American singer/songwriter Byron Keith is very much in the acoustic driven pop vein of noted influences Jars Of Clay. And a sterling effort this is too, considering that he must be working with significantly less resources than The CCM giants! Each song is co-written by Keith and a multitude of other songwriters and this variety seems to have paid off. The nine songs featured on 'Not Without A Band', tackle issues ranging from human rejection ("She Wept") to spiritual doubts ("Flattered") and superficial stardom ("Seventeen"), whilst other tracks portray Keith's relationship with God with honesty and humility. The production is refreshingly creative and this, coupled with Keith's tremendous voice and a tight backing band, is really what gives this album the edge. 'Not Without A Band' will perhaps be one of the finds of the year, and let's hope Byron Keith is not without a major record deal in the very near future.

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