Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Seldom has a second album, particularly in the area of singer/songwriter projects which usually creep up on the listener after many plays, so impacted me. For that one must note much respect to producer Phil Lidstone who through beautifully textured productions has been able to add pop dynamics and some sublime moments of musicianship to Grant's tremulous, achingly honest songs. Just listen to the way the bass and drums crack in on "Grace", just swoon over that eerie synth effect on "Bridge" or groove to that ricocheting loop on one track. But as a sage (and onion?) once observed, you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear, and even production as fine and a vocalist as huskily effecting as those here, need top calibre songs. And that's what you get, with every line shining with lived-out truth. Far too many albums by Christian singer/songwriters sadly fall into two categories, either evangelical sloganeers offering shallow paraphrases of biblical truth or poetic obscurationists, hiding their light in an excess of metaphore. Grant is neither, continually finding vital and fresh ways to document his journey along the road less travelled. Take the achingly honest appraisal of his, and indeed all, our Christian lives, "Mostly I Fall", take his lovely celebration of transcendent hope "Beautiful" or take his insightful penetration of the paradox of a relationship with the Lord ("So close to you/So far from you/A million miles of feeling still to go." If you get one pop acoustic album this year, this is the one to send off for.

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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