Reviewed by Simon Amers

"If you're going to claim to know Jesus, you've got to wake up." So states Spur58 frontman, Aaron Ivey, originally a youth pastor in Houston, now leading Spur58 - a youth ministry band based at their home church in the wonderfully named Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Their rock inspired album will certainly shake away any drowsiness. From the piano intro of "Always Been There" to the last strains of "Starting Over" this is an album to invigorate and animate worship. Excellent production values by Paul Mills, providing Kelly Clarkson power choruses, combine with heartfelt lyrics and vocals to produce an album that soars above the crowd. There are string accompaniments, yet the songs are also given space to breathe. Lyrically, the songs address our need to wake up to our need for Jesus: our need for love, our need to notice the life around us. The pain, the joy and the people. Highlights include "Starting To See", "Sleepwalkers" and "Kyle's Lament"', which reminds us God remains with us even in times of personal pain. "I Am Yours" is a simpler congregational worship song, while the last two songs are more reflective. An excellent debut.

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