Reviewed by Nigel Harris

This is the debut album from power-pop rock band Grand Prize. Hailing from Calvary Chapel, Boise, Idaho where band leader Luke Caldwell was youth pastor for five years, this is the product of three years almost continual touring. They have clearly mastered their craft because this album is truly outstanding. With hints of U2 and The Goo Goo Dolls they produce hook after hook, catchy and memorable lyrics and some of the best new Christian rock anthems I've heard for ages. "King Of Kings" was their first single and invites God to "Come and make my heart your home" against a delicious backcloth of crunchy rock guitar riffs. "Break Me" recalls St Paul's struggle to do right as in Romans 7 while "To See You" is a cry to God for holiness. Reluctant to shed their indie credentials, the band eventually signed last year with A'postrophe Records, a new label started by Jaci Velasquez and distributed by Word in the States. Jaci apparently decided to sign the band after meeting them in Nashville - "I hadn't even heard their music or seen them live but I knew they were right for A'postrophe. I wasn't worried because I knew if the songs were as incredible as their hearts then we had found something spectacular. And I believe we have." I can't argue with that.

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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