Reviewed by Mark Lawrence

Singer/songwriter Pablo Perez has drawn in the likes of Mike Bickle and Jono Hall to help produce 'Return', an album he claims is "designed to awaken love in your soul". Unfortunately, musically at least, 'Return' is more likely to send you to sleep. From the outset on "Whom Have I" the tone is set with a heavy emphasis on atmospheric programmed keyboards and drums augmented with the occasional 1980's guitar and saxophone solo. This tone continues on the weepy, Celtic-like ballad "My God Is King" where Pablo duets with female vocalist Laura Hackett giving the song a kind of 'Disney animated film soundtrack' feel, complete with the obligatory climactic build-up to the final chorus. Things fail to pick up on the euro-pop sounding "Return" and by the time the opening synth is played on "God of Hope" the middle-of-the-road balladry begins to nullify the senses. If only there was a change of tempo or pace somewhere on the album to bring some life to proceedings it wouldn't be so bad but there isn't. Musically the album has a polished, albeit dated sound (think early 90's Michael W Smith) and lyrically the songs are part touching expositions of God's love and part Christian cliché. Fans of the balladry of artists such as Westlife or Celine Dion would find plenty of key-changes to get their teeth into but for me I'd rather just sit in silence.

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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