Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

The problem with Todd Agnew is that it sometimes feels like he's trying too hard, what with the walking around barefooted Rich Mullins style and everything. His debut album, 'Grace Like Rain', set him up with worship fans slavering over the album and his big throated greasy voice at a time when it felt like every new male artist to be signed to a label sounded like Mac Powell. So what did Mr Agnew do next? Delivered an album that in some places sounds like a mere continuation of his debut album until you catch a few cuts that show him pushing some boundaries and creating something which is a little different. There's plenty here to please the existing fans and American radio stations but I like it when he rocks out on the opening cuts "Something Beautiful" and "New Name" and sucks up some of the Mississippi River influences of his Memphis base. Wailing slide guitars and soulful female vocals make it work. Unfortunately after such an adventurous start it soon hits a bit of a plateau. It's not terrible, it's just not terribly interesting. Exceptions are a bit of soul on "Mercy In Me" and the atmospheric moody closer "My Jesus" which completely challenges spiritual complacency. Wow! There's even a rather nice rootsy version of the classic hymn "It Is Well" which brings a new slant there. I guess you can't blame Agnew for playing it safe in places since he has a hungry audience to feed and overall the results are pretty cool.

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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