Reviewed by Rob Birtley

Luke Dowler is an American songwriter, performer and producer based in northwest Montana. His subject matter is varied but often driven by Christian sensibilities on social issues and causes. The tracks here are culled from his albums of 2007 to 2014 plus a single, the evocative "Silence Is Shameful". We commence with "Hero" which is an eponymous tale of the need we all have for a true hero. The song has shades of Needtobreathe and Switchfoot but also shows a Chris Daughtry edge in the vocals. Next up is "No One Else" - this heads into Springsteen territory especially in the guitar line and is a fine rocked up love song. "College Towns" is a Bruce Hornsby-like homage to small town America with a brass line that could have come from the E Street Band. "Polarised" has all the energy and attack of a Tom Petty track and is all about social separation and division that divides us which is not any part of God's plan for us. The play on lyrics "Words that are said could kill the tongue tied" and "We live our lives just to spite the other side" spell out the landscape of our disaffected world. It is the highlight of the album for me. The single "Silence Is Shameful" starts out with a snappy acoustic guitar run and almost flamenco percussion line which is repeated in the chorus. This song is all about child exploitation. Overall, a powerful showcase from a songsmith with much to say to both the Church and the world.

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