Reviewed by Josh Dipple

In 2005, North Carolina singer/songwriter John Mark McMillan independently released his second album, 'The Song Inside The Sounds of Breaking Down', to critical acclaim - given no less than 9 out of 10 by Cross Rhythms - but a fairly limited commercial response. It wasn't until over a year later that murmurs of a song called "How He Loves" started to circulate around the internet, and one thing leading to another, exploded. This unforeseen turn of events has led to this album being belatedly regarded by many as a classic, resulting in this deluxe re-issue, featuring three previously unreleased tracks. The first, "Dancing On The Doors" is an upbeat country rocker that could easily have fitted on the original album, though if it had maybe it wouldn't have come straight after the intensely emotional end of "How He Loves" as it does here - the contrast is jarring. The second is a suspense-fueled slow-burner called "Hold On" that sounds like it could be taken straight from the soundtrack of an Ennio Morricone scored Western. It's a song that sounds like it could go off like a nuclear bomb at any moment, but for better or for worse, never does. Finally, the album is again closed with a rendition of "How He Loves", drawing what is now regarded as a modern worship classic to a satisfying conclusion.

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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