Reviewed by Helen Whitall

'Songs We Wrote On Tuesdays' is the first album from Andrew Ripp, who has established himself on the US coffeehouse and small theatre songwriter scene though has escaped the notice of US Christian radio, and Chris Rice, who from 1997 to 2006 was a major figure on the CCM scene before pulling away from recording and touring to concentrate on his duel career in the visual arts. Now these two talented songsmiths are working together and this duo debut is a delightful first effort. It is a soulful and heartfelt exploration of love in its various forms, and Andy and Chris alternate in taking lead vocals from one track to the next. The opening track "Via Dolorosa" is a piece of Americana that features piano and the smooth vocals of Rice. Some half bars are thrown in to mix up the time signature and make it less straightforward than it at first seems, which is nicely done. "Not So Far Away" is a little more upbeat and poppy, with strummed guitar and simple beat, building up to a full band love song about a couple overcoming their differences. "This Ain't No Love Song" feels a little bit gospel, piano, slide guitar, and a choir joining to build the sound. And of course, it is. The choir are present again for "Let It Burn", as is the build from simple piano to full band, though it strips right back again at one point, a soulful jam. "Nothin' Like This" is a sweet love song about how real love is so much richer than the songs and movies portray it, and "Hold On" is a slow piano ballad of hope and encouragement through life's storms, the slow-dance rhythm itself feels like it gently rocks a lover in its arms to comfort them. "Gorgeous" is a stand-out; played on piano, cello, it is a true psalm of awe and sense of our smallness before creation, and the instrumental interlude is lovely. "Gloria" begins as real Americana, both in sound and the picture it paints, but it becomes something a bit more Beatlesy as it progresses into plodding piano, strings and quirkier chords. Next comes "Carry On", an upbeat, folky strummed and picked guitar track. It felt this could use a little more percussion, as it's not quite as strong as it could be to carry the pace. The mellow, orchestral "Boy" is followed by the emotional "Took Your Breath Away", a gospel song on piano about a life lived in faith. "Frontlines" is a short piano piece with the simple message "I just want to make you happy", before the album closes with the uplifting "See You There". The whole album has an organic and intimate feel to it.

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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