Reviewed by Tim Holden

The third outing from the rock team from Virginia continues their musical development. 'Where The Sinners & The Saints Collide' is fully financed by their fans so 100 per cent of sales of the album goes to the band's charity supplying musical instruments to disadvantaged families. Melodime still play multiple instruments but gone is the esoteric mix of instruments to be replaced by a more mainstream rock sound. The more prominent electric guitar gives an edge and urgency to the songs and matches the gritty realism of the lyrics, which look at what happens when real people do real life and have to cope with hard things. They lyrics don't provide pious answers but still point towards God as the way to survive. Bradley Rhodes' gravely vocals are sometimes reminiscent of Nickleback's Chad Kroeger and deliver the songs with depth and passion that is augmented by effective arrangements of driving piano and guitars. Particularly memorable are "Halo" and the catchy chorus to "Love Songs And Lies". While the approach of the band is definitely pitched to the mainstream there is a definite sense of God underpinning everything. Recommended.

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