Reviewed by Ewan Jones

OK, first things first - before the CD even lands in your player you have to get past a spectacularly naff front cover that doesn't set one's expectations too high. Happily, as the music kicks in you realise that 'Giants' is actually a really rather good pop album. Driving drums launch opening rocker "The Sky Is Falling" and promises a high standard which is largely met by what follows. At 20 years old Craft already shows a deft ability to knock out a catchy chorus and pair it with an insightful lyric. Craft says, "This CD is the journey of testing God's grace to being thrown to my knees by the weight of not deserving grace at all," and those themes do come up again and again. "Get Up" is a cracking call to stand up and share Jesus with a lost world, its laid back acoustic and percussion vibe belies the challenge to apathetic living as Craft confesses, "Jesus didn't come so I could take my sweet time or be ashamed to spread his name." The R&B-tinged ballad "Broken Heart" is the album's first single and sees Craft sing of hope for those damaged in a world of pain and hurt. "Reclaim" is epic in its vision and production and it leads neatly into vulnerable lullaby "Lay Me Down". The band's edgier side gets to break out a bit in the fast paced "Fighting Gravity" and with Clarity's down and dirty verse riffing. I'm really rather impressed with this album - the songs are well written and produced with imagination, it works as a coherent whole, yet showcases a variety of styles (there's even a Spanish language ballad in "No Hay Nadie" to close the set), and it definitely sets Craft up as one to watch.

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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