Reviewed by Tony Cummings

When Housefires, a group of worship musicians from the Grace Midtown Church in Atlanta, Georgia, began recording in 2012, no one, least of all the musicians and songwriters themselves, would have predicted that they would eventually deliver a song that one critic has recently described as "worship song of the decade." But that of course is what happened to these unassuming worshippers since Chris Tomlin took their "Good Good Father" to the world Church. Instead of trying to replicate their worship mega hit with something similar this album, released in August 2016, is an unplugged set with the intimate feel of a Saturday night worship service with no agenda other than to focus on the King of Kings. Some might be disappointed by that but for me this album is still a good showcase for some wonderful new songs. "Your Love Is Alive" with its violin counterpoint, "On And On" with a haunting melody and "Life Is A Gift" with its memorable refrain "life is a gift and the giver is good" are all very strong. With Housefires about to play some UK gigs, this unpretentious yet affecting album demonstrates you don't need stadium rock bombast to connect with the Lord . . . and the listener.

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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