Reviewed by Paul Loader

When the blurb supplied with an album sent to be reviewed describes the music made by the band as "incredibly bad", you assume that the album must be able to deliver on another front, and 'Preston Moneaux' sure does. Sure the actual music is as immature as a 14 year old's first band, however I hope this doesn't sound too harsh as it is this naivety that really does add to the charm of the whole thing. It's the lyrics that do it. Lyrics that are the "equivalent to fingernails on a chalkboard." In an age when political correctness demands that we hide our faith and light under the heaviest bushel we can find in order that we don't offend anybody, the Blind Teeth Victory Band have been going for 15 years and hail from Houston, Texas. They lay it on the line in a way that my Brethren forbears would have been proud. Songs like "Ministers Daughter" tell of the pain of having to give up your girlfriend as she has turned away from the Lord. And when songs like "I've Got To Tell The World About Jesus" has lines like; "I want to tell the girl who wants to commit suicide, she's had an abortion and now she wants to die/Give it to Jesus my friend and it will be alright", you know that this band is not afraid to put their faith squarely on the line, and then step right over it. Refreshing to say the least. "Jesus Loves Me Every Time" proves that the guitarist ain't no Eddie Van Halen but not afraid to try. "We All Love The Lord" gets into some good old fashioned rock 'n' roll. There is not one wasted track on this album, in my humble opinion; they're all great, although what they were attempting with the Stovall Middle School Band with the 'Preston Moneaux' refrain peppered through the album I'm not sure. I kept on expecting it to launch into "The Beatles - A Day In The Life". My one criticism would be the packaging. Clearly putting the whole thing together on a home computer adds to the "feel" but looks cheap. However, don't let this put you off; 'Preston Moneaux' has now taken pride of place on my Ipod and I would recommend that you have a listen as soon as you can.

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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