Reviewed by Matthew Richardson

Kansas City rocker Mike Crawford produces, engineers and mixes this two-volume extravaganza of decidedly left of centre worship music. After an atmospheric melange of footsteps, things kick off with "Search Me", typical of the overall tone with its bizarre mixing of rock-metal guitar licks behind lyrics that wouldn't look out of place at a Sunday morning service. Another highlight from Volume I is "Lord I Believe, Help My Unbelief", starting with a nu-metal type distortion setting before blending it together with piano and string parts more typical of soft rock. Crossing over to Volume II, "Psalm 23" begins with typical bravado, blending some silky acoustic strumming with a quiver of charmingly offbeat vocal melodies. Indeed, the kooky mix works surprisingly well throughout, especially in a track like "I Know The Plans", the slightly antiquated lyrics belted out above the decidedly modern background of synth and electric guitars. Indeed, all the songs seem to rest on yoking together dissimilar musical traditions that in any less capable hands would fall to the floor. However, oddly in this case, the musical wildness seems to compliment the eerie lyrics. The moody, darkly dissonant chord progressions intensify the lyrical thrust about darkness yet the almighty power of God.

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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