Reviewed by Peter Dilley

Jason Gray got his first big break with a stint touring as guitarist with Sara Groves, and enlisting Andrew Peterson, Lori Chaffer (Waterdeep) and Joel Hanson (PFR) for his solo debut, the last of whom shares writing credits on "I Am New", the penultimate track on the optimistic-sounding follow-up. The tracks most in keeping with the buoyant title are probably the opener "More Like Falling In Love" and the sunny "Help Me, Thank You" which comes mid-way through, but which curiously is left as a gap in the lyric sheet. With producer Jason Ingram keeping a tight rein on song content and structure, this is focused, high-quality CCM throughout, largely a folk/rock blend. "How I Ended Up Here" and "The Golden Boy & The Prodigal" and the devotional "Jesus, Use Me, I'm Yours" are all more in the former category, and wouldn't sound out of place if performed instead by erstwhile associate Andrew Peterson. The title cut appears in two separate parts, the second being the finale, and much mellower in delivery than part one. Perhaps the most powerful song is "Fade With Our Voices", with its challenge for us to have integrity in worship: 'Does our worship have hands? Does our worship have feet? Does it stand up in the face of injustice?'. It echoes the likes of Amos centuries ago, but later turns each question into exhortation 'Let our worship have hands' etc. - a message we'd all do well to heed.

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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