Mitch McVicker
Brian Quincy Newcomb

Mitch McVicker may tire of living in the shadow of the legacy of Rich Mullins, but with the national re-issue of his indie project, he is going to have to wait a little longer to stand on his own merits. Co-produced by Mullins, before his death in 1997, and Ragamuffin Mark Robertson, Mitch McVickeris a solo effort, presenting the songs and voice of the singer/songwriter. But listeners will likely be enigmatically drawn to the songs where Mullins co-wrote, sang or played piano.

There’s a crisp, folk/rock vibe throughout the project’s 10 tracks, plus a very different version of "My Deliverer," a song Mullins and McVicker co-wrote; the song was later recorded for The Jesus Record (Myrrh).

Robertson plays bass, Kenny Greenberg gifts the record with his strong guitar presence, and McVicker sings with unexpected confidence and ease. His down-home storytelling style works with the easygoing tone of his songs. "Take Hold of Me" features McVicker on harmonica in a song that suggests the influence of Bruce Springsteen. There and throughout tracks like "Hope," "The Lemonade Song" and the lovely "New Mexico," McVicker does find his own space—indeed, his songs make their own space.