Robin Parrish
 

Score: 9.5 

   As I commented in that previous review, this group is really hard to label. They strive for originality in every way. If I had to compare them to someone else, I'd say that they sound kind of what Cędmon's Call might sound like if they got really, really funky. The music has a live-quality sound to it, as if everything you're hearing came off of a stage in a small cafe.

   "Point of View" illustrates this well. "These Times" emphasizes a more acoustic feel, sounding like something maybe John Cox might sing. There's no attempt to create a "wall of sound" here, and it's refreshingly welcome to hear this kind of stripped-down, bare bones music. "Lower Me" slows things down with a stirring ballad.

   I was surprised to find a track on the album called "Filet of Soul." So what is it about? As near as I can figure, the lyric talks about how we tend to complicate things unnecessarily, instead of just laying our souls bare and being honest. Another engaging tune follows, called "Sebastian." Rounding things out are a simple acoustic guitar song, "Broken Mirror," and the ultra-funky "Freight Train." James Brown, eat your heart out.

   The intriguing mix of acoustic sounds and funk is something not found elsewhere in Christian music and definitely serves to set this group apart. Check them out for yourselves.