Starfield - I Will Go

Reviewed by Nigel Bayley

Starfield remind me of Switchfoot. And as someone who names the latter as undoubtedly my favourite Christian band in the world, that's quite a comparison to make. It's not the fact that both groups are built around a partnership of brothers; although the Neufield siblings are highly talented individuals who sound great together, especially when both are singing (and isn't it a little weird that their first names are also Jon and Tim?!). It isn't necessarily the music; although powerful, catchy songs like "I Will Go", "All We Need" and "The Loveliest Sound" could have been hidden in 'Oh Gravity' and not many people would have noticed. It certainly isn't the lyrics; you won't find worshipful lines like "Hallelujah, Christ is King" and "Great in all the earth is your glory, oh God" on any Switchfoot lyric sheet. And I don't think it's the power level, because while 'I Will Go' has a palpable and incessant energy throughout, it doesn't quite rattle the bones like 'Oh Gravity' does. So what it is then? What is it about this excellent third album by these obviously God-centred Canadians that rings these bells? I think I've got it. I think it's their relentless and infectious passion to give everything they've got for the God who loves them. And we all need some of that.