Reviewed by Matthew Cordle

York-based Mark has been playing music since receiving his first guitar at the tender age of seven, and having played with a number of bands in the '90s he now has a band with whom, as well as performing in concerts the band ministers in prisons where Mark also speaks. Although currently working on a new album, Mark has released this four-track EP free of charge from his website, also helpfully providing the lyrics and a downloadable PDF file of the artwork. However, don't be thinking this is some dodgy quality mush because it's being given away - this is well recorded, articulate music. Stylistically it shouts out James Blunt as a musical comparison so I guess you should steer clear if James Blunt scares you! Lyrically the songs are very personal, covering subjects such as learning to move on with God rather than mourning for the past in the bouncy "Whole", and waiting for God's will in terms of finding a wife in the reflective "Out There". Even if this weren't free it would be worth listening to, and because it is free you have nothing to lose by heading over to www.markpiercemusic.com.

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.