Reviewed by Ian Homer

Pete James has been creating music since the '90s and Throwback Kid is his latest project born out of relocating with his family to the English South Coast in 2014. This EP though is a complete departure from the worship music he has recorded with Spring Harvest et al. So if you're drawn to the alternative folk sounds of Badly Drawn Boy and Jack Jones then you should like this EP. The collection kicks off with a warm, uplifting track which praises God for his creation rather than it just being a "waiting room for heaven" (ironically I'm writing this sitting in an airport departure lounge bound for Dublin). "Bluebells And Blossom" is directed as a father to child song of how wonderful the world is and life is for seizing opportunities. The instrumentation and vocal harmonies also provide warmth with the guitar and piano accompanied by a warm accordion which gives it something of a French flavour. This is followed by a story-style folk tune entitled "Darren" who's a local personality it would seem, maybe one of life's more unassuming characters and indeed Pete mentions 'the last shall be first and the first shall be last' in relation to him. I won't spoil the best line but it has something to do with St Peter and fast food so do dive in! That's followed by "Remember The Day" which has received some Cross Rhythms radio play. The fifth and final track, "Skimming Stones", has a welcome bit of drive to it - with an insistent back beat and good combination of sparse guitar and piano laying the melody down which switches up in the chorus to an insistent running riff. There's a lovely measured solo on the keys in the middle eight too. Whilst only one track is wholly focussed on God the rest of the offerings are threaded carefully with Kingdom references about aspects of life, community, relationships and growing. All in all, a well-crafted collection of tunes.

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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