Reviewed by Dancin' Dave Derbyshire

This is an independent release that you can buy from Strive's website www.strivefans.com where you can also get their previous EP for free. This Chicago-based band say that they want to shape contemporary culture with their music. It looks like this ambitious band are making a start on this judging by the airplay they are receiving, the fact that their music has made its way into a computer game and that they have toured internationally promoting AIDS awareness. Despite these credentials at first I just wasn't sure about this band. The mix of piano, guitar and backing vocals sounded somewhat bland and I couldn't quite get into it. But as I listened I began to appreciate their sound and realised that the songs are well written with original lyrics. Listening to this album now I feel that the tracks hold their own alongside many mainstream numbers that are out there. Yes, this is an album you will grow to love.

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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