Reviewed by Brian Edgeley

With a journey looming I thrust this CD by a Mississippi-based band into the car multiplayer and head off up the motorway. The first track has good guitar intro but a positive impression is curtailed by the first notes of the vocals. My instant reaction is to yank the volume down as my passenger and I both look at each other in amazement at the lead singer's out of tune and nasal vocals. I mean, how could they put a track like that on the FIRST track of a demo!? Now, there is lesson in here for all budding songwriters and home-recordists to learn. Get singing lessons (tracks 1, 9 and 13), practice your vocals and breathing, and if God is blessing your writing and performance then take your gifting seriously and seek the blessing of your minister/pastor. Then when you come to contemplate recording your songs enlist the help of local Christians in your fellowship to sponsor you in the process, this will get people involved and praying for you! It will also give you a wider appreciation in your own church of other people's responses to your music; then go to a professional studio to get a demo cut! It is expensive but worth it. This may seem hard, but too many home-spun CDs are coming through that are not honed or practiced, or well thought out for a wider audience. That said, I have listened to the whole album several times and researched the band's website for their vision and diary of concerts, and seen the photos too, so I know they enjoy live gigging! Their vision is a Godly one and concerts are being regularly played in all sorts of different venues, which is giving them good experience and exposure. I must say that the lead guitarist, Guy Sheffield has a nice touch when it comes to his licks, Al Cobos plays great keys; his interpretation of the songs blends well and lifts the music. Main acoustic guitar too has a nice rhythm, even the backing singers harmonize well - bringing out key parts of the lyrics when necessary. Drums and bass are fine too! Here's hoping they can sort out the vocalist problems.

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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