Reviewed by Tony Cummings

In an age of throwaway pop and rock bluster the Arkansas-based sister of Twila emerges with an exceptionally fine album of intelligent soul searching songs. Angie's voice has a brittle, bitter sweet quality, while producer Brent Milligan pulls out all the stops with inventive arrangements. Just catch the way Angie's poignant voice weaves effortlessly over the fretless on "Love Will Not Fail" or the way those jangling guitars cut away to an ethereal freeform segment on "Dreaming Of Tomorrow". Occasionally vocal influences peep through: Nanci Griffiths, Sarah McLachlan and (on "Beyond The Walls") Amy Grant but this is miles from the production line stereotypes of Nashville. My favourite cut at the moment is "Angel On My Shoulder" with its backward tape intro and a telling lyric of spiritual conflict ("There's an angel on my shoulder/But there's a devil at my heel") but throughout the set shines with songwriting craft and imaginative production. Thoroughly recommended.

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.

Interested in reviewing music? Find out more here.