for Here It Is Release Date: 27.4.2009

Since 12tribe Records agreed to partner NlighteN in distributing their work back in October 2008 there has been a burgeoning anticipation of this 5-track EP, which aims to gather together the best of their previous album while hinting at what their forthcoming studio album contains.

The title,  Here It Is could be seen as a fitting way to announce the arrival of a bright new sound in Christian music, but in truth it is deeper than that. Listening to the title track it becomes plain that Here It Is is the offering of a life to God and not a call for attention. That attitude is reflected throughout the EP, and is a fitting way to look at this band's intentions for their music.

The EP kicks off to a strong start with Struggle where resounding piano leads the way with a sweetly staggered bass hook anchoring the rhythm beneath plaintive guitars. This is an appeal for revelation and assurance of God's guiding presence in a dissonant world where the disciple can be easily overwhelmed and lose sight of their path; an open and honest appreciation of the believer's weakness at times, and one that will resonate in the hearts of every Christian listening.

It leads perfectly into Heart Of Mine, a lead guitar track punctuated by a punchy beat, which centres on the faithfulness of God's love and how dependent we are upon it.

Then come the title track, central to the running order and central to the theme. Ethereal keyboards, textured guitar, ringing lead underpin the desire to offer one's life to God and " turn away from the rest of it ".

New single A Thousand Tongues is as the title suggests a contemplation of the ineffability of God's grace and love, to such a degree that a thousand tongues couldn't express it fully. From a gentle piano-refrain, insistent guitar slowly build to a joyous crescendo pay-off and stirs the heart along with it.

The EP closes on a bright and pacey note in the form of Light, which in a way gathers together all the considerations of the other 4 tracks and decides that in the light of it all life now makes sense and one can better fully understand how life is meant to be and indeed what life can be. Chirpy paino chords and relentless rhythm carries the EP to what seems like its natural, upbeat and triumphant conclusion.

And so Here It Is becomes 'there it was', until one gives in and pushes the PLAY button one more time.

REVIEWS

" This, the West Midlands group's debut EP for 12tribe Records draws heavily on their previous album, with three of the five tracks taken from that record. The other two are an indication of the content of their forthcoming album. The band may well be sick of hearing it, but there is no getting away from the Coldplay comparisons. Performing piano-drenched moderately paced commercial rock with falsetto vocals is simply asking for those sorts of comparisons to be made. However, Tim Barton's big advantage over Chris Martin is his God-centred, almost worshipful lyrics, which propel the band more into Delirious? territory. It is claimed that their most recent single "A Thousand Tongues" has received strong reviews and significant radio airplay among the Christian community and it is easy to see why. Drawing on John Wesley's "O, For A Thousand Tongues" as inspiration, the song speaks of a God so wonderful that "a thousand tongues, with a thousand words couldn't speak of all the things you've done." "Light", the other new track, is also strong despite being a step or two below the level attained on "A Thousand Tongues". The title track shows a rockier, more guitar-led side and is easily the best of the three older tracks on display. The production is excellent for an independent recording, with all the instruments and vocals being clear and distinct though some are flat, especially on "Struggle". But the potential is there."