Delirious? - King Of Fools

Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

"Well, I've got a story to tell about the king of all kings," Martin Smith sings on the anthemic "Revival Town" and that sums up the contents here. Any fears that Delirious? might compromise in the face of commercial success are dispelled within the opening minute of their first full-length studio album. A selection of songs penned by Smith and everyone's favourite goateed guitarist Stuart Garrard shows the usual versatility of the band. The opener, "Sanctify" has a vulnerable Smith on his knees crying out for help from Heaven. "All The Way" has a bit of an Oasis vibe with the string section and general mellowness and "August 30th" builds beautifully around a Stewart Smith drum loop and Garrard's atmospheric guitar adds a texture reminiscent of 'Joshua Tree' U2. The same overwhelming passion that made 'Live And In The Can' so special oozes out of the speakers throughout this recording. Tim Jupp's keyboards add a dynamic to the Delirious? rock sound, it's his delicate piano playing that stands out here. The gorgeous textures on "Hands Of Kindness" and "King Or Cripple" create an astounding balance between Jupp's playing and the explosive guitar coda from Garrard which manage to combine power and surprise. The title song has Garrard employing an REM-style guitar. The singles "Deeper" and "White Ribbon Day" should have already captured your soul but there are even better songs here waiting for your discovery. "History Maker" lays out the manifesto that it is possible to make a difference today and acts as a personal declaration for the listener to commit to action. That idea is continued in "Revival Town" which is destined to be a huge favourite with its big singalong chorus and lyrically prophetic edge stirring the Revival Generation. "Promise" is a rugged, edgy, dirty guitar test calling for that generation to live up to its promises. One listen and I'm convinced that Delirious? are a significant contributor to the revival we've longed for in this country. If the fire of these songs could only ignite the heart of each hearer then flame by flame our nation would burn for Jesus. It's been a long time since an album has filled me with such huge hope! Buy it, be set on fire and run after God because if you look, isn't that revival we see on the horizon? As Smith sings on "Sanctify", "The cloud's getting bigger now, it's time to get ready now!"