Reviewed by Tony May

Pity the poor hopefuls whose album hits the deck straight after Dorothy Moore's superb new release. The 5 piece Byrds come off as a pretty mundane package by comparison, plodding arrangements, lack of passion, basic harmonies. Predictable to the nth degree, nothing surprises, there's no reality on this totally anaemic set. The lead vocals disappoint, failing to excite or even hold attention and who will own up to writing these songs? I wouldn't admit responsibility for such weak, cliché-ridden dirges. Even the arrangements and instrumentation are totally outdated and rigid. Maybe the Byrd Family belong to a very traditional denomination which restricts them. The only track I enjoyed was "God's Word" with its Staples style of vocalising, though the latter are in a different league of course. Somehow, the group seem to be floundering in no- man's land, neither a traditional nor contemporary outfit, and not yet happy in a settled identity. Hopefully they can sort it out.

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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