Reviewed by Peter Dilley

Rather like Nichole Nordeman and Sara Groves, Canadian singer/songwriter Amanda Falk is one of those artists whose songs seem imbued with a thoughtful quality. It's partly in the narrative, observational style of their lyrics and vocal delivery, and partly in the uncluttered, unhurried arrangements and production. Honesty is perhaps the biggest factor though, not in a voyeuristic sense, but in lyrics which engage with the highs and lows of life in the real world: "Never thought that I'd question everything that I knew/Never thought that I'd have trouble finding my way back to you", and yet they still reach out in hope for security: "Well I've found that there's nowhere to run to/Nothing that I can hold onto.../Everything within me is wanting more of you." We were never promised an easy journey in life, and sometimes there's reassurance in knowing that others have walked through the shadows back out into the sunlight.

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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