Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

  I’ve been playing tracks from this excellent rock album on my Independents’ Day programme for a couple of months and enjoying the vibe: proving that the best Christian rock does not always lie between the grooves of CDs released by the majors.  Canada’s Tables Of Stone have managed to create an album that is high on energy and creativity and packed with variety.  Driving guitars give way to mellower moments and though the whole CD is laced with modern rock influences, they rarely sound derivative.  The brilliant “Choose To Live” opens the album and it’s a rock classic that every rock fan should hear.  The insistent groove of the closing “The River” builds from a trickle at the source through to a surging piece of rock by its conclusion.  Elsewhere the mellow acoustic “Hello Jesus” sounds like a curious cross between Extreme’s “More Than Words” and Anointed’s “Send Out A Prayer”.  A couple of songs will appeal to fans of Jars Of Clay in that they mix acoustic vibes with some excellent rhythms.  On the acoustic side of things, I love “There Is A God” with its poetic descriptions and for something rockier, “I Believe In You” does the business.  This is one band that deserve wider recognition.  A stonking album, can’t wait for the next one.

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.