Reviewed by Andy Shaw

Todd has achieved much success in America with his last album, 2007's 'Better Questions', hitting number one on Billboard's Christian retail chart. Since then the singer/songwriter has been through a number of life changes including getting married and returning to his home state of Texas. This has had an influence on his sound with 'Need' having a mellower feel to it. A number of musical influences can be heard throughout the album. There is a Southern tinge to tracks like opener "Joy Unspeakable" and the gospel influenced "Higher Ground". There are also songs showing a more acoustic folk side particularly on "Did You Mean Me?" and "Give Me Jesus". The tempo is picked up in places such as the rocked up and funky "Tell Me The Story" and "Breakable". Agnew has the vocal strength for the more pumped up songs sounding not dissimilar to Chad Kroeger of Nickelback; whilst sounding equally at home on the mellower, more vulnerable sounding tracks. Piano led track "The Love of God" is a fine example of this gentler sound.

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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