Reviewed by Ian Hayter

As no doubt you know by now, Plus One were a BIG act in the US CCM scene with a slick boy band pop sound. Then group members split and the remaining guys took the opportunity to reinvent themselves as a rock band. The resulting album is good enough, it’s just not immediately distinctive. Gabe Combs, Nate Cole and Nathan Walters, whose sullen faces stare at you from the CD cover, are Plus One, who made their debut with “The Promise” back in 2000 – as a boy band. Their music is now edgier, rockier and more mature, and under the guidance of co-producers Furler and Frankenstein (of Newsboys fame), they’ve knocked out a very listenable set of songs. Their blend of piano, guitar and thumping bass provides the perfect setting for Nate Cole’s vocals. With the exception of a fairly ordinary cover of Tim Hughes’ ‘Here I Am To Worship’, these are all original songs and there are some wonderful images and phrases dotted about the lyrics, as well as some pretty tasty musical arrangements. ‘Quest Of Many Trails’ is a fairly reflective number, but the anthemic ‘Be Love’ and ‘Sea Of Angels’ (my favourite track) and the thundering ‘Poor Man’ demonstrate the band’s ability to make a good tune stick in your head. Peter Furler says that it’s “some of the best music I’ve ever been part of” and he can feel justifiably proud of turning out this album. Enjoy it!

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