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Summer comes and almost goes, and we're greeted by the fourth studio album release from Britain's top Christian band,
Delirious?
As suggested by the cool cover pic, this is a group that is moving on, constantly stepping into new places. It will surprise few people, then, that "Audio Lessonover?" has a different approach to the heavier, guitar- and synth-soaked sounds of
"Mezzamorphis" or the pure rock-worship genius of "Glo". Musically varied and inventive; emotionally intense and personal; spiritually deep and engaging - this album has
an accessibility which will give it appeal to both die-hard Christian fans and 'secular' music lovers alike. Most arresting of all is the charm and strength of Martin Smith's lead vocals - you hear him
give his all on every song, such commitment being everywhere thoroughly compelling.
We've already heard the seaside pop of
'Waiting for the summer'; those fortunate enough to catch the d:boys on Bon Jovi's UK summer tour will also remember the equally infectious pop-rock of 'Take me away', currently hitting big-time on mp3.com's
music charts and set, perhaps, to be the band's next major hit single. The theme of these doting love songs takes a more pensive stance on slower ballads such as 'Rollercoaster'
, with it's intriguing shuffle programming, the bizarrely-titled 'Bicycle gasoline' and Martin's soft, floating 'There is an angel', dedicated to 'Anna', the love of his life.
A more God-focused romance is expressed on 'Love is the compass' - featuring a strings section and a chorus that borders on the worshipful - along with 'A little love', whose unhurried, poetic verse
bursts suddenly into a catchy group-vocal hook-line. Then: 'Loving you is the only way / Living you is my every day'. Lyrics of such spiritual profundity appear subtly or overtly in many places; viz. the edgy,
intense 'Alien' ('Only your love can make us one / Jesus you're brighter than the sun'), or the heavier, brooding sound of 'Fire' ('Watch it coming from the sky / He's riding in on his chariot of
fire').
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