Reviewed by Stephen Curry

This album continues the theme of Matthew's previous release 'The Story Of Your Life' through songs inspired by numerous letters he received describing stories of courage and heartache. The songs maintain the anthemic quality of the previous album but have a distinctiveness of their own and they each provide thought provoking lyrics without descending to clichés about the situations they describe. They also seek to convey a spiritual insight from the experience. For example, the melancholy yet beautifully layered "Forgiveness", inspired by a mother who forgave her daughter's killer in a drink-driving incident, focuses on the need to forgive the undeserving and the unadorned piano-based ballad "The Power Of A Prayer" hopes that Jesus really hears us when we pray in the midst of marital disharmony. The title track provides an energetic call to move out of the shadows even when faced with a violent relationship and the pop-rock "Moved By Mercy" features a wonderful duet with Caitlin Evanson whose soaring vocals cry to God for us to be moved from a place of hurt to a place where we can start a new life. This is a thoughtful and finely crafted inspirational pop album.

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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