Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Their eighth studio album which surprisingly, considering its strong Jesus message, got a fairly enthusiastic review in Q. So have the d:boys delivered an album up there with 'King Of Fools'? I'd say they have, thanks to some magnificent new compositions from Mr Smith, some sonic wizardry from Kiwi producer Sam Gibson and an open-hearted vulnerability and Holy Spirit boldness which permeates the whole project. Probably the track which will get the most immediate attention is the pulsating rocker "Paint The Town Red" which starts off like a snarly garage band from an American one horse town before developing into an anthemic "here we go" arm puncher which will no doubt enliven stadium crowds for years to come. The tracks that drew me in were the eerie, solemn "Take Off My Shoes" where over an ebowed guitar Martin sings in that mood of tremulous poignancy only he can emanate. Then there's a breathtaking "All This Time" where an undulating guitar pattern kicks off an arrangement which leaves vistas of reverberating space before it suddenly explodes into a rock solid chorus, followed by a HEAVY guitar then cuts away again. Sam and the boys are to be congratulated with such an explosive rock 'n' roll dynamics. Ear-catching tracks don't stop there - the opener "Stronger" which I recently heard on a soon-to-be-released Narnia Chronicles compilation has grown on me while "Miracle Maker" from its voice and piano intro to its shimmering climax is a no holds barred celebration of the holiness of God. Fans will also want to take note of "Solid Rock", which features a rap by TobyMac. 'The Mission Bell' rings out with a defiant note of faith in these troubled times. It will surely resonate in the hearts of tens of thousands.

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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