Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

Let's begin by getting one thing right, it's pronounced scuzzy! Alright? Good! As December Blue this band recorded the pretty decent 'Remember This' album three years ago which cruised along on the strength of singer Sharon McFeeters' incredible voice but after intensive listening the holes elsewhere begin to show. This time round, they're teamed with American producers Carla and Tim White who have whipped Belfast based SCSI into shape and finally they've delivered an album that is capable of hitting you between the eyes! Wow! Stronger songs, energetic performances and a tight fresh state of the art sound make SCSI a band crying out to be discovered. Highlights? So many but I'll try! It's very hard to get past the first three songs because they're so brilliant. "Better Than This" lulls you with a gentle beginning to the album before exploding into one of those choruses that you can't ignore. The catchy "Crave" is an industrial strength disco for the new millennium and "Looks Like Me" finds Sharon exploring the dilemmas of trying to live the Christian life in a world that is quick to judge. The mesmerising acoustic guitar riff of "Right Here Right Now" topped by Sharon's amazing vocals is a vibey masterpiece. Personally I prefer it when they're rocking out on "Stunned" or the Carla White penned "Just Tell Me You Love Me" but there's somethng delicate and touching about the closing ballad "Be The One" with its repeated chorus of "You complete me, oh be the one." The album closes with an undeniable focus on Jesus and the first time I heard the choir join in, it sent shivers down my spine! Bet it does the same for you. Michael Houston's songwriting goes from strength to strength and his energetic guitar parts propel the band along on top of the fluid, dependable solid rhythm section. All in all a powerful combination and this album deserves to establish SCSI as one of Britain's finest bands. You heard it first here!

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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