Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

After the impact of their debut EP on A&M Records, I was excited to get hold of the full length debut album but I was initially disappointed that the rest of the album isn't as strong as the single "Ride To California" which enters my list of the best Christian rock songs ever! It was always going to be a hard song to follow and the band have a decent shot on this album. Their brand of rock'n'roll mixed with elements of hip-hop and synthesizer music makes for a compelling mix as anthemic songs are given an edge by the seven-piece band. Birthed and formed on the streets of their home town of Charlotte, North Carolina in live performances for the homeless, this music is more "street" than most and it's no surprise that A&M took an interest in the band. From the vibey opener "Trinity" to the closing inspirational "Love Like You", the band rocks along and singer Aswan North's lyrics intend to provoke a reaction and inspire and uplift even in this danceable rock setting. Apart from the single, other standouts include the understated drive and catchy chorus of "For The People" and the groove of "Everybody". It'll be interesting to see how the band capitalise on this debut and how the different influences of the band members mesh together on future releases.

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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