Reviewed by Andrew Midgley

Nimisilla Park are Alton Hood and Michael Brown, previously known as D.O.C. (Disciples Of Christ). Their new identity is a namecheck for the park in Canton, Ohio in which they hung out as kids. Between D.O.C. and now, both founders became divorced, and Brown struggled with addiction and depression. Now back together, Hood and Brown's hope is to bring together "the broken, the hurting, and the wary with a message of hope and healing," and there is something of Brown's story in particular that prompts respect. The Nimisilla Park project boasts earnest sentiment, as well as a well-produced website and quality guest slots: Dia White is striking without being overpowering on album closer "The Prayer", while David Oswald Cox channels Luther Vandross on "Overflow". This latter is for better and for worse - better in the sense that Cox's worshipful humility is a genuine, tuneful raising of hands to heaven; but worse since associations with saccharine balladry are hard to ignore. The whole project is behind the times musically - there are overtones of Wham!'s "Wham Rap" on "Good News", while opener "Troublemakers" echoes the faux-menace of '90s boy band 5ive ("They call us troublemakers baby./The king of the Jews was falsely accused/They called him 'troublemaker'") in between its Eminem samples - but there are some touching moments. "Cup's overflowing/Spirit is showing/Me how to live in the overflow" sings David Oswald Cox on "Overflow", reaching valiantly for a transcendent moment. Away from such reflective songs, "Ode To Jeremiah" provides an arresting backing track, even if it spills over into the nu-metal territory which is the album's musical Achilles' heel. Should you buy it? If you are into bands like The Script, 'Welcome To Nimisilla Park' hits those spots of tinkly, plaintive piano and earnest rap, but without the condescending lyrics. It is only a little surprising to have shades of Limp Bizkit thrown in too.

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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