Reviewed by Nigel Harris

Detour 180 is the latest signing by Parachute Records, a company which describes itself as "focused on developing commercially viable Australasian Christian artists," and born out of the music and ministry of the successful Parachute Band. This self-titled debut album was released for the 2003 Parachute Festival in New Zealand. (In fact the band's second album is due for release early in 2005.) Their confident rock style has been compared - favourably, that is - to Switchfoot, Goo Goo Dolls, Lifehouse and Creed, so appeals to perhaps a generation on from the Parachute Band's own audience. Detour 180 are certainly versatile, without sounding contrived. I can see their intense, rock anthems going down a storm at festivals and live performances while the bouncy "She Walked In" was released as a single and quickly charted on mainstream radio in New Zealand! "Hallelujah" is an out and out big event worship song and the moving "Father's Child" closes the album on a more introspective note with its simple chorus, "Jesus I need you." As a bonus, the enhanced CD includes music videos for the tracks "When You Call" and "She Walked In".

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