Reviewed by Tony Cummings

What a scorcher! Neil Costello's new band and if you don't know who Mr Costello you're clearly either not of this planet or have never read the sleeve credits on a British CCM album. Now this most talented of guitarists, engineer and producer makes a pitch for the BIG break. And even if Sony or somebody don't offer Neil (guitar/vocals), Adrian O'Connell (vocals), Tim Hughes (bass) and Terl Bryant (drums) bags of money Sunflowers have left behind a tough, abrasive, gutsy and wonderful mini-album (8 songs actually). Heavy rock can so easily simply be lumpen, here it keeps its ribcage-caving solidity while showing a fluidity and rhythmic dexterity that separates the air guitar boys from the fire-spitting men. Do the lyrics spell out the way to salvation? Well no, but they do take in Shakespeare ("To Be Or Not To Be"), AIDS ("H.I.V.") and drug abuse ("XTC"). If you want rock with muscle, this is the tape you've been longing for.

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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