Reviewed by Andy Barnes

As the name and title would suggest, this is another newcomer off the seemingly endless conveyor belt of highly talented CCM melodic rock bands. A five piece based in Nashville (where else?), Nouveaux have delivered an absolute stormer which totally belies it's debut status. Right from the opening bars of the Def Leppard inspired "We Believe", it's obvious this is going to be a bit special. More hooks than a fisherman's basket, catchier than measles, every song an AOR fan's dream. Bon Jovi would kill for a song half as good as the epic "Bridge Across The Water", whilst the slightly funkier edge to "Red, White, Black And Blue" has more of a Rhythm House feel. They show a heavier side on "All That Glitters"; "Hurt So Bad" is Idle Cure-style balladry and "A Time To Cry" comes over all White Heart, circa Tales Of Wonder'. All this is mere build up to the album closer "Across The Miles", a pure AOR classic, complete with Neal Schon (Journey) style lead guitar work - six minutes of sheer bliss. Great songs, superbly performed, all blended together with a top notch production job, courtesy of Doug Beiden. If you like your rock punchy, yet with tons of melody, makes sure this is at the top of your shopping list. Look, I'm out of superlatives here, so to sum up - WOW!!!

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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