Third Day's debut album was bluesy and acoustic. For their second album they created the magnificent brooding swampy rock of 'Conspiracy No 5'. To this day I can't understand why those dunderheads at the American Grammy awards gave rock Gospel album of the year to dc Talk's live album (are those ears painted on?) as Third Day had created a masterpiece. Never mind! For their third album the band split the difference and ease back into a more acoustic flavour with some of the swamp slipping through. I love the groovy slow burn rock of "Believe", and the worship oriented "Your Love, Oh Lord" which is built around a simple drum loop but floats heavenward (Hey guys, why don't you make a bonus EP of this sort of worship stuff!! I'd buy it!). In singer Mac Powell they have a voice that makes the whole band stand out from the crowd. Where he lets rip on songs like the frenetic "Took My Place" and "Sky Falls Down" or gets good and funky on "What Good", I swear this album gives me goose bumps! I have to say I prefer the band when they're rockin', but even the mellower cuts like the atmospheric exploration of brokenness "Can't Take The Pain" and the opener "I've Always Loved You" have also won me over. Don't know if it's the touches of Hammond that pepper the album, the strength of the songs or just that inimitable incalculable vibe that they've captured here, but Third Day are growing into a real force in Christian rock! The early versions of the American release also included a four-track EP of material in a similar vein, recorded live in the studio which for me simply acts as a welcome encore to the delight of the main album, and prolongs the pleasure of hearing a fine band. Got to confess it took me quite a few plays to get into this album - definitely a grower - but now it's firmly locked into my stereo and cranked up loud, my neighbours are learning all the words!!

By - Mike Rimmer

Cross Rhythms [1]