Reviewed by Steve Stockman

Brian Houston is a Belfast phenomenon, every release going to number one and getting heaps of radio play. If there is any justice in the record industry then this third release 'Good News Junkie' should launch this huge fish out of the small pond of Northern Irish rock, where he is nothing short of a phenomenon, into the ocean wide as a very reasonably sized swimmer. 'Junkie' has session men from Mike's Mechanics, Level 42 and even Graham Gouldman of 10cc and their playing lifts this to a major budget sounding album. It is no Britpop, his integrity again would never allow him to pretend. No, this is adult orientated rock without any of the cringiness of the pop end of that. This rocks ("Simple Now"), rolls ("Try Too Hard"), chills ("Tell Her That You Love Her") and grooves ("The Vision") and then takes us into a final cry of pilgrimage in the title track, the hope and disappointment of following Jesus Christ in the late "90s, the best Springsteen song that Bruce never wrote. Houston's subject matter is like his music, for the mature. Songs of marriage and faithfulness and radical alternatives to the love them and leave them with your own selfish attitude culture that we live in. Again the man's faith is written all over his work although not in the propaganda language of Christian ghetto music. Art is more subtle and more powerful and Houston succeeds where so many fail in their attempt to slap big "Jesus Saves And I Am Soundly So" badges across their lyric sheets. 'Good News Junkie' is addictive. Rock against dishonesty!

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.