Reviewed by Andy Cooper

Another compilation from the American CCM equivalent of 'Now That's What I Call Music': 30 bands and artists who are expected to be most successful (in North America) during 2008. Generally, this collection shows that the quality level is higher than it's ever been before: Third Day, Casting Crowns, Mark Schultz, Relient K, Sanctus Real and Superchick all have a 10 square Cross Rhythms review already. That is a huge number in just one year. However, there are also a fair number of "me too" offerings, lacking originality and riding the back of another band's wave: see if you can spot Evanescence, Coldplay, The Corrs, Green Day and Joss Stone wannabes somewhere in the mix. Some exciting discoveries include Big Daddy Weave (odd name, but good honest worship), Britt Nicole (singer/songwriter with individuality: kind of cross between Cindy Lauper and KT Tunstall), and Leeland (a young band sounding a bit like Keane, with such a passionate delivery and skilful song construction). Meanwhile, the disappointments are Michael W Smith (currently as creative as half a house brick), Mark Harris (former boy band member gone solo with another cheesy power ballad), Jeremy Camp (has the charisma of wet cement), and where are the Europeans? This is obviously a North American release intended for that market. Us Europeans would do better by listening to the radio (you know which station) and hearing a potentially more relevant mix of great bands and artists for free.

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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