Reviewed by Tim Holden

'Ruined For Ordinary' is Nate Sallie's second album and has taken awhile in coming - but is well worth the wait. The album is class stuff with a roller-coaster ride of styles from the start. Opening with "A Breakthrough", a piano-led song that would not be out of place on a Coldplay album, straight into a fully orchestrated blues, "Let Go Of Me", and on to a wonderful piece of pop, "Undercover Belief", that has more than a bit of a Robbie Williams feel - even with its Mozart style intro - this album never lets up. The songs are all self-written and tell the story of Nate's growing in God over the last few years. Rather than have the lyrics to the songs on the cover, there is the story behind each song, and even the track listing on the back cover is in the form of a story - entitled "Life In The Listing". The lyrics avoid clichés and often bristle with prophetic power, the production is excellent with some great orchestral arrangements filling out the songs and giving a foil to Nate's voice which comes over crisp and clear at all times - even when giving it all. Nate has been picking up critical plaudits as a modern day keith Green/Rich Mullins. Make sure you investigate this one.

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.

Interested in reviewing music? Find out more here.