Reviewed by Chris Webb

It's hot and oppressive indoors, you open a window and a cool breeze sweeps into the room and clears the mental cobwebs away. Listening to Gungor is just like that. No longer a 'worship band', they have thrown off their shackles and freely explore many and varied musical styles with skill and ability. The first and title track is enthrallingly magnificent in scope and concept, an anthem of praise that shouts "listen to me, you won't be sorry!" as keyboard, guitar and voice compete to lead the listener to new heights. A spaghetti western intro to "Beat Of Her Heart" starts a song about love lost with a hint of the song "The Devil Came To Georgia" and a touch of the Biblical story of Lot's wife as subject matter. The futility of war is taken up in the driving rock track "God And Country" that ends with an acoustic guitar and voice simply pronouncing as the final chorus "Those who live by the gun, die by the gun," a lyric so pertinent for us in today's violent world. The haunting beauty of Lisa's delicate solo vocals in "Wandering" with its simple, sparse instrumental backing is contrasted with the contemporary pop feel of "Long Way Off" and "Finally". "Yesternite" has a lyrical throwback to the Beatles' classic "Yesterday" with crisp, clear classical guitar to tantalise the listener. This album merits the widest possible audience.

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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