Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Even though she's enjoyed Greenbelt cred', a rarity for a CCM artist, there were still those who say too much the cutsey sophomore in Kim's first two hugely successful albums. But now her third must surely convince all but the staunchest detesters of the Christian music subculture. For here is an album with all the width, breadth and depth of great pop art. The reasons for this blossoming of an undeniable talent? Could it be Kim's had more of a songwriting input? Could it be Reunion Records and producers Brown Bannister and Wayne Kirkpatrick have filled out all the high recording budget to deliver an album which sparkles with pristine state-of-the-art yet keeps the key acoustic element a factor even in the dazzling display of Jerry McPherson belching electric axe or reverbs and FX which don't come cheap? Or could it be that Kim has just got better (third albums usually are the classic ones) with that husky voice of luxuriant liquidity gliding across arrangements that are always just right, from the neo-Sgt. Pepper break in the "Words" opener to the heavy-rock overdrive to the tinkling sleighbells (yep!) on "Don't Face The World Alone". The lyrics speak volumes (well, volume), the themes touched on this time being the tongue is a fire ("Words"), the enigma of God's plans ("Mysterious Ways" -- my current favourite with its jazz chords and haunting mood) and going beyond the smugness of easy-believism to reach a more realistic faith ("Round And Round"). But wherever one looks and listens, new things come to the reviewer's attention. Wonderful music, surely the best CCM album of the year.

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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