Reviewed by Ewan Jones

Something Like Silas aim to break out of the traditional mould of popular worship music - they claim to not be content just serving a "Christian sub-culture" but by jumping headfirst into mainstream audience venues. Despite making their name leading at their home church, Flood, in San Diego, very few of the tracks on this CD would fit too easily into your average Sunday service. However, that is no bad thing - with this release, SLS have hit all the right notes. It is an infectious debut with masses of energy and variety. Multi-layered atmospherics and melodies soar over a rock solid rhythm section and while certain influences (Sigur Ros, U2 and Jeff Buckley) are evident throughout, they never become crutches. On vocals Eric Owyoung manages both sensitivity (the wonderful, haunting "Spirit Waltz") and confidence. To end the CD, a rousing, if unnecessary, version of Matt Redman's "Better Is One Day" (thankfully the only cover on the album) leads into the low-key prayer of "I Fall" where Owyoung sings "I fall in love with you/and all this world is gone" over the chimes of a musical box. An enchanting CD at an appealing introductory price.

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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