Reviewed by Peter Bate

Poor Old Lu's 'Special Thanks' column reads like a 'Who's Who In Left-Of-Centre Christian Rock' listing The Prayer Chain, The Choir, Adam Again, Argyle Park, Circle Of Dust and many more, signalling the increasingly healthy state of the genre to which this four-piece are a welcome addition. Having impressed Stateside with their last album 'Sin', this six-track recording finds Poor Old Lu in a restrained, thoughtful mood. At times vague similarities to Sixpence None The Richer surface, such as the violin outro on the atmospheric "Bittersweet". "Digging Deep", featuring guest vocalist Jeremy Alan Enigk (signed to the legendary Sub-Pop label) is a highlight with its honest musings on life's struggles concluding with the words "I was distant, God is near". The lightweight feel of 'Straight Six' suggests an air of complacency which threatens to lose the listener at times. Thankfully this is redeemed by "For The Love Of My Country", not unlike The Smashing Pumpkins at their most urgent, where the guitars are cranked up and vocalist Scott Hunter lets rip. Let's hope a full length album is not too far away.

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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