Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Sammy Horner refuses to fit neatly into a single pigeon-hole in the music world. He is a Celtic folk singer/songwriter but he's recorded albums with his veteran band the Electrics which are nearer punk rock than anything else. He has recorded grizzly murder ballads but also Celtic worship music to electro beats. He has played at huge festivals before tens of thousands yet is happy to play to a handful of people in a home concert. And now that the pandemic has curtailed Sammy's touring (he was set to undertake a visit to the US where he has a legion of supporters) the Irish veteran has recorded and released possibly his most imaginatively conceived and creatively packaged album ever. 'Rev Sam & The Outcasts' portrays a maverick street preacher bringing glorious good news to hoboes and hookers, but is also standing beside the disillusioned internet gazer telling her that she is already loved and accepted. This depiction of radical evangelism is delivered through earthy, biting rock songs growled in the good reverend's gnarled voice over dirty guitars and pounding drums ("You're believing all those experts you've been reading on the inter-web/But I know that you're too smart to let the garbage filter into your head"). 'Rev Sam & The Outcasts' comes (of course) via download. But it also comes on CD, vinyl and, most attention-grabbing of all, in a full colour comic where the dog-collared rev's lyrics and adventures are brought to life by artist Alexander Lee Bute. If you are looking for a tool for evangelism or to rediscover full throttle rock music (played by an international bunch of musicians brought together through file sharing), or if you simply want to be reminded again just how amazing Jesus' message of forgiveness and acceptance is, this album. and comic. is for you. You can find it on Bandcamp.

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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