Reviewed by Peter Timmis

Sara is back with what she describes as her "songwriter's album", an interesting statement considering the high standard of the craft on her previous releases. One listen to the record though and you can see what she is talking about. "I will lay my heart wide open/like the surface of a lake" she sings on "Like A Lake" and over the course of the album's 11 tracks this is exactly what she does. "I've got layers of lies that I don't even know about yet" she confesses on "Eyes Wide Open" in her plaintive voice, not dissimilar to the country tones of Emmylou Harris. An honest, reflective album where the songstress draws upon subjects as diverse as motherhood, marriage and faith, backed with beautiful, delicate piano and lap steel guitar. "Setting Up The Pins" verges into bluegrass territory and features the wonderful, bouncy Mandolin work of Andy Leftwich. "Different Kinds Of Happy" with its repeated vocal line is built up by Sara and the band until it soars majestically. The album closes with the emotional, hymn-like "Joy Is In Our Hearts" and the listener is left wanting more.

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.