Reviewed by Brendan O'Regan

It's hard for new singer/songwriters to make an impression - there are so many of them! Young Nashville-based Nick Gill stands out from the crowd, with his light folk-rock songs. In his early 20s he has been making music since high school but his songs suggest a much older and more mature perspective. His catchy but intimate songs are entertaining and thought provoking, marked by a strong sense of hope and empathy. The opening track "Row" takes up the metaphor of the album's title, suggesting that our problems are surmountable and that God will there for us. These are not gospel songs, but there's an inherent sense of spirituality and good values. The spirit of hope is evident even in the title of "Love Never Has A Last Chance", one of the more commercial songs on the album - ideal for a single release. "Risky Business" is a kind of warning about what we do with our lives ("When we dive in risky business we may never come up") but Gill encourages us to hold on to all of our hopes nevertheless. "How It Feels" is more personal, touching on the pain he felt when a friend took his own life. Musical backing is fine throughout, especially the finger-picked guitar, used to particularly good effect on the romantic and final track "Summer In The Winter Time".

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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