Yfriday, The Cedars, Echolab - Emerging Culture '06

Reviewed by Ian Hayter

Live recordings of powerful songs of worship from three bands, one well known, Yfriday; one coming up fast on the rails, Echolab; and one making their first step into the larger arena, The Cedars. All accredit themselves well. From the first chords of "Wonderful" by Yfriday, through to Echolab's version of Wesley's prayer, "Zeal", this is music that will make you sit up, listen up and then get up and do something about it. It's certainly not soothing music that you can allow just to wash over you as you sit in a comfy armchair. The performances are thunderous, the atmosphere provided by the live recordings electric and the intention clearly to worship rather than to entertain - which is especially apparent on Yfriday's track "More Of You". You won't find anything much better than this at the moment.