Reviewed by Doug Holland

Mary In The River is the intriguing nom-de-disc for Mary Sidney, a Kent-based worship leader and youth worker. This is an electric debut collection of songs, displaying real innovation in melody and orchestration and combining these with meaningful, delightful and melody-sensitive lyrics. The style leans heavily towards folk but it is much richer that just that, as a variety of instruments (keys, guitars (electric and acoustic), violin, drums, bass) combine with superbly expressive vocals to provide a solid and always interesting sound accompaniment to a musical journey that explores magnificently the idea of God's saving grace. The lead vocals are worthy of mention on their own; Mary's voice has an unusual level of clarity which lends itself perfectly to songs of this ilk and is one that can both soar and whisper to similar high effect; good use of double-tracking thickens things out where needed. All songs and arrangements are by Mary (there is not a single weak song) and the proportion of points of musical highlights to number of tracks is comparatively very high for this collection. Excellent stuff - can't wait for the next one.

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