Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Cross Rhythms' Jonathan Bellamy has been on to us to track down a song since he heard it on the closing credits on the hugely impactful documentary Finger Of God. Finding that song, "Sing, Sing, Sing", proved very problematic. Although the film credits advised he track was by the group The Least Of These, the fact that the group subsequently signed to Fair Trade Records and changed their name to Citizen Way made finding the track difficult. But here it is, the last song on 'Love Is The Evidence', the first label release by the Illinois-based band. Jon's determination to find "Sing, Sing, Sing" is understandable. It's a gem. A haunting anthem which starts gently with some haunting falsetto from the lead singer then explodes into a surging anthem as we're exhorted to "let it all out". As it turns out, it's far from being the only standout on the album. The group, two sets of brothers - Josh and Ben Calhoun and David and Ben Blascoe - also excel themselves on the opener "Nothing Ever (Could Separate Us)" with a thudding groove and the catchiest of tracks. "Evidence" with its effective switched lead vocals and the first radio single "Should've Been Me" also both show a band who have honed their pop rock art through years of playing camps, retreats and youth group events. Their lyrics too are well above average attempts at conveying biblical truth ("It should've been me, it should've been us/Should've been me hanging on a cross/All of this shame, all of these scars/Should've been stains that were never washed"). Yep, it might have taken nine years for this talented foursome from Illinois to reach the international stage but now they are there, their radio-friendly music will surely mean they stay in the spotlight for quite awhile.

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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