Reviewed by Andy Barnes

Chase are a 4-piece melodic rock outfit from America whose style and influences are clearly rooted in the AOR heyday of the mid 1980s (Def Leppard, Bryan Adams, etc). Whilst many acts from this era remain enormously popular in the mainstream of popular music, it's not easy for new bands of this particular genre. Fortunately, Christian record companies are still putting 'talent' before 'attitude' and the new Salt Incorporated Music record label could well be onto a winner with Chase. 'In Pursuit' has most of the ingredients; I just feel that they needed stirring a little more! There's a classy production courtesy of Bill Baumgart, who handled the early Idle Cure albums and the band themselves have turned in splendid individual contributions. What lets it down a little are the songs. Most tread a well worn path - you know, singalong chorus here, guitar solo there. Only the last track, "You Will Be The One", really breaks the mould and is easily the best song on the album. Lyrically, 'In Pursuit' is very open to interpretation. There are lots of oblique references to love, but whether that is a love of Christ, or of a woman is unclear. Whether this was done purposely to open Chase up to the secular market, I don't know, but if it's spiritual guidance you are seeking this won't really fit the bill. With a little more thought in the songwriting department, the promise they've undoubtedly shown here should be fulfilled next time around. But for now, fans of the Def Leppard/ldle Cure school of hard rock should put this at the top of their shopping list.

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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