Christianity Today

Style: Toe-tapping pop/rock; compare to John Mellencamp, The Byrds, Bob Dylan

Top tracks: "God Is Love," "We Live by Faith," "Get in the Boat"

David Brauner was first inspired to pick up a guitar when he first heard the music of fellow New Jersey native Bruce Springsteen, and he brings an old-school, classic rock sound to this ear-pleasing project. The title track, an upbeat ditty accompanied by the jangly guitars of The Byrds and Roger McGuinn, includes a simple chorus that would work well in corporate worship. "We Live by Faith" is a Johnny Cash-like rockabilly tune reminding listeners that "faith'll move mountains," and "Get in the Boat" is a countrified call-and-response comparing the aquatic adventures of Jesus (in the sea of Galilee) and Noah (in the sea of, well, the whole world). Brauner's voice sounds like a cross between Mellencamp and Dylan, and his lyrics are sometimes trite, but the music is full of smiles. (All proceeds benefit Brauner's home church, San Diego's Westminster Presbyterian.)

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