Reviewed by Ewan Jones

'Love Is Waiting' is the latest release from Wisconsin songwriter Danen Kane. Not picking up a guitar until hitting college hasn't stopped Kane making the most of musical opportunities in the nine years since then. Independently selling 11,000 CDs, self-booking over 1500 shows and supporting CCM stars like Sara Groves, BarlowGirl and Shawn McDonald has helped Kane develop into a confident writer and performer. Excellent opening tracks "I Found Love" and "Inheritance" have got a little funk to them, channeling the energy of Matchbox 20 or Maroon 5, but mellower "Take It All" is the lyrical stand out; its message is compassionate and yet deeply challenging, putting me in mind of Keith Green as Kane questions 'Why are we here? / Why are we saved? / Do we live like our hearts are changed? / Wasting away, too lazy for faith / building our kingdoms that will pass away'. Kane is certainly able to paint great scenes with his lyrics and single 'Beautiful Mess' is a showcase for that - dramatic and heartfelt but avoiding the easy cliches. Kane says 'I tried to write congregational worship stuff, but it didn't come off authentic enough, but when i started writing about everyday life and relationships... my writing came alive.' This personal approach includes reflections on failed relationships, and makes closing track 'You Came For Me' particularly effective, a song imagining Christ's return on both a macro and micro scale, contrasting the anticipation and awe of the world with the personal wonder of a relationship with Jesus being fully and perfectly realised as Kane sings 'You came for me and all Your majesty is shown / You've come to bring me home'. While there are no surprises waiting in the wings, this is a solid, honest and well produced set of songs which are stylistically varied enough to pique the interest of those who enjoy the Nashville pop sound.

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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