Reviewed by Peter John Willoughby

Needtobreathe have successfully managed the balancing act of having a foot in both the mainstream and Christian rock worlds. The Seneca, South Carolina rockers are on form on this set which reached number six in the Billboard Top 200. Their huge appeal comes from the fact that they also straddle musical styles and can switch from tender alt-folk to swaggering pop rock. Opening with the gentle chords of "Oohs And Ahhs" they soon break through with arena-sized riffing as the song sways back and forth. There is jangly guitar and tub-thumping drums in "White Fences" with some powerful lyrics ("You leave me in the dark/Recounting all my sins/You put words in my mouth/But who is gonna mend/These white fences"). The styles move from the radio-friendly anthems of "Drive All Night" to the tender stripped-back yearning of "A Place Only You Can Go". The slow-burning "Slumber" has bluegrass influences and some slick banjo work whilst "Able" has piano, slide guitar and a gospel choir. The more interesting lyrical content comes towards the end of the album with "Bag of bones and blood red cheeks/Guilty from the words I speak/Say the truth will set you free/But it won't for me/The Devil's been talking". This is counterpointed by "Angel At My Door" and "Learn To Love". A fine set.

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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NEEDTOBREATHE are gearing up for the release of their new album The Reckoning, the follow up to the band’s acclaimed album The Outsiders, which debuted in the Top 20 of the Billboard Top 200, The Reckoning is a confident and fresh-sounding collection from a band coming into its own.

After two years of non-stop touring, NEEDTOBREATHE went straight into the studio to create The Reckoning. Inspired by the dynamics they had developed on the road, the band was determined to capture their on-stage energy and exhilarating live performances, along with their experimental recording ideas, on record.

With the first single Slumber already burning up the Christian radio charts, The Reckoning fulfils on the promise of the band’s first three albums, offering a powerful sound and memorable message that makes NEEDTOBREATHE one of the most exciting bands to watch.