MITCH McVICKER : Without Looking Down. (Spindust Records
: 0688623128)
This is an acoustic rock album, which it took me a few plays
to get into, but it was worth the effort I think. The lyrics are the thing
that I found a bit strange. There's nothing wrong with the content, but
Mitch sings the words as if he were speaking in conversation rather than
how you'd expect a song to sound, which does give the album quite a unique
style. The words are on the whole very well thought out, although a few
of the songs left me a bit unsure as to what they were about. The sleeve
notes describe this as an album of "Progressive acoustic driven songs that
encourage the listener not to look down on their fears and doubts, but
to focus on God". I guess that sums it up nicely really. Mitch received
a Dove award for "My Deliverer" which he co-wrote with Rich Mullins, whom
he described as his mentor. In fact Mitch was in the car with Rich when
the accident occurred and this is his first serious piece of work since.
It reminded me a lot of Soul Asylum, and it's certainly worth a listen
if you can find a copy. 8/10. Andy Sayner.