Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Sporting a flash cartoon cover and a bi-line promising 'alternative, urban, rock and metal' I expected a lot of radical music from America's Christian underground. In fact these are currently 'unsigned' acts who'd fit quite nicely on America's Christian radio playlists if any of them land that StarSong contract. All the acts are American save for Australia's In The Silence who were billed to play this year's Green belt but never made it. On the strength of the throbbingly punchy 'Reaching" that was our loss. My favourite cut by far is Painted Orange, who, now that Mad At The World and Crumbacher have moved onto new musical territory, seem to be carrying the genre of spiritual-message techno rock almost single handed. Orange's "Hands' is an explosive taster of an album which must surely follow. Laurie Webb is a little like a more acoustic Sam (nee Leslie) Phillips. Other standouts are The Remnant which have a pogo-pumping throwback sound and D.O.C. (Disciples Of Christ) who rap on it good. Occasionally the sounds of the 90s' ethos slips a little, Screamin' Eden don't live up to their name but offer rather limp folk-rock that wouldn't have been out of place on an earlier Maranatha album while Paradox are pretty dull metal. But all in all this is a good introduction to some bright new talents.

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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