Reviewed by Lins Honeyman

Originally released in 1999, 'The Book Of Esther' gets off to a intriguing start in the dulcimer-led instrumental "5-30-98" with the said instrument played by the Oklahoma songwriter himself. After the promise of the opener and, expecting an album full of musical surprises and flowing creativity, the tracks that follow unfortunately fall short of the mark. There are positives within 'The Book Of Esther' - Barthen's strong and stirring vocals (best showcased in the anthem-like "How We Learn" and "Praise") and the gospel choir backing vocals contained in a handful of the songs are certainly impressive but on the whole there is something lacking. This could be for a number of reasons: firstly, the slower and more contemplative numbers are not as strong as the aforementioned tracks and therefore take away from any momentum gained. Secondly, Barthen's undoubtedly God-centred lyrics tend to lack structure and give the impression that they have been somewhat rushed. In addition, Barthen's lyrics and vocal delivery can occasionally err on the melodramatic side. An example of this occurs in "Hold On Tight" when, in an attempt to draw an analogy between the physical and the spiritual, we are taken from hearing about a nervous boy standing in an amusement park queue waiting to go on a rollercoaster with his dad to suddenly hearing his father reassure him that "we'll be together in this battle of day and night." "How We Learn" is the standout track with its recollection of faith heroes such as Elijah, Esther and Daniel and it showcases Barthen's vocals and his songwriting potential. In summary, a pleasant enough listen which doesn't quite hit the mark.

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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