Reviewed by Mark Lawrence

This is the fifth studio album for a California-based alt rock band and contains 10 fresh new songs of hope and faith. Their guitar-driven melodies sound not too dissimilar to fellow Americans Third Day and South African trio Tree63. The similarity to Tree63 is particularly discernable in album opener "This Is A Song Of Hope" with its chiming guitars and rich vocals which build up to a big anthemic chorus. There are currently a whole host of American Christian "alternative rock" groups saturating the CCM scene, many of whom sound bland and samey. Plumbline however seem to have found the winning formula. They expertly combine catchy hooks and melodies with lyrics that take you on a spiritual journey and the excellent "Heal Me" is a great example of these elements working together. Equally impressive is Plumbline's folkier, sensitive side which is displayed on songs such as "Bottletops" with its swathes of strings (albeit sounding distinctly electronically produced) and emotive, stripped back piano and guitar. Although there is nothing hugely original on 'Recollection' Plumbline have still delivered and excellent album which is head and shoulders above a lot of its contemporaries.

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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