Reviewed by Peter Dilley

Staci Frenes has written for and performed with some top CCM artists, including Margaret Becker, Ginny Owens and Nichole Nordeman, and I found myself pondering whether any of them might have been at the back of her mind as she worked on this, her first solo release since 2005. No one from CCM with the opener though - once the backward-sampled intro to "Oxygen" is done with, it develops a definite Sheryl Crow-like groove, as does "Making Room" later. However, there's strength and passion so characteristic of Margaret Becker in Staci's delivery of "Sweet Reunion" and the edgier "What I Won't Leave Without", while "Know Your Voice" has much in common with Nichole Nordeman's more thoughtful approach. There are other nuances too - the wistful stylings of "I Suppose" and "Dreaming Us" are highly reminiscent of Leigh Nash (Sixpence None The Richer). Whatever influences her, Staci continues to prove herself as a highly articulate songwriter. The songs here revolve loosely around the theme of the title cut, that of searching for traces of God's glory in our daily existence: "Under your silent sky I am keeping watch for signs of life from the world beyond.../Like a meteor shower, fall on me/Revealer of wonders, wash over me/Break through my atmosphere/Leave a million traces here in my heart." Eloquent.

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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