Reviewed by Paul Kinvig

This five track EP from Wales' finest is quite a depar­ture from Mai's previous offerings (check out the excel­lent 'Love Will Find A Way' CD) and, I suspect the type of music that he's been longing to make. If you like your music baked over a hot Springsteen flame, sea­soned with a little Mellencamp sauce and served pip­ing hot on a bed of grated Billy Joel the I urge you to purchase this tasty hors d'oeuvres from the Mai Pope musical restaurant. The EP kicks off with two stormers, "Alibi" and "Take Her Out Dancing" - both tracks have a live feel and measure ten on the foot tapping scale. Lyrically, "Years Roll On" deals with the often painful subject of time changing old friends. Introspec­tive and thoughtful in its setting, the song is a mature one and stands equally as tall as any Springsteen Americana comment. My personal favourite is "If This Don't Last", A song with a chorus catcher than an an army of Graham Goochs in the slips. "Love's Peroga-tive" deals with the simple truth that Love has the power to conquer any adversity. You may have gath­ered that this is not a "Christian" album and I'm not entering into the debate on sellout v compromise v crossover. All I will say is that it is an excellent album full of class songs that restores your faith in talented musicians playing real instruments. And that, in my book, when done by Christians gives glory to God

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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