Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

A pleasant piece of inspirational Scottish pop with rootsy, country and Celtic tinges thrown in for free! Recorded on Orkney, Michael Harcus pens and performs his own material and this is nicely produced if a little bland in places. “Come Holy Spirit” is a pleasant piece of gentle country pop; “The Day You Met Jesus” is a pleasant ballad and “Trust In Him” is pleasant down home guitar pickin’ country. “My Foot Is On The Rock” again takes the country road beefed up a little by some electric guitar. The harmonies on “Oh Father” highlights the fact that Michael’s backing band are accomplished singers. And this is all well and good but there is still something missing that stops this album leaping out of the box marked ‘ordinary’. Whilst well intentioned, Michael’s lyric writing feels clichéd throughout the album with a lot of well worn phrases popping up so “on that solid rock” Michael builds and he observes that Jesus gives you a “brand new start” whilst putting “a flame in your heart”. It’s all theologically present and correct but I was just hoping for something lyrically less tired.

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.