More info: http://www.contemporarychristianmusic-paulfurlong.com/index.html
Verdict: Easy listening light rock with a hint of country
Paul Furlong is a Web Design and Marketing consulant who plays Contemporary Christian Music. Hailing from Australia, Paul is married with 3 kids and is an evangelist at heart.
With a motto of "Go hard after God" you might be expecting his music to rock hard, but instead we get a mixture of light rock and ballads. "Have A Little Faith" was Paul's first release in 2005, whilst "Someday" is his latest 2006 offering.
The title track of "Have A Little Faith" kicks of proceedings with a catchy number that makes good use of female backing vocals on the chorus. In fact the female backing vocals are used to good effect throughout the albums. The first few tracks all offer that same catchy formula. "Father" is a slower track that reminds me of Gareth Brooks but without the county twang. In fact, next track "Praise" reminds me a lot of Brooks' "We shall be free" both in terms of music and lyrics. "God is So Good" is an effective song of thanksgiving. The pace slows a bit during the second half of the CD with ballads predominating. The albums closes with a reprise of the title track.
The opening of "Someday", "Don't You Hear My Voice", sets the theme for the CD which is more about reflection and feeling the presence of Jesus. Tracks such as "My Eyes Are Dry" sound a bit like Steven Curtis Chapman, albeit in more of an soft rock/easy listening sytle than Chapman's country feel. "Thank You For My Family" continues the thanksgiving theme heard on "Have A Little Faith"'s "God Is So Good". "There's So Many Songs" has the electric guitars more to the fore than the other tracks. The album then glides into slow/ballad mode for the next few tracks. The pace is picked up for "Living Life Alone" before "What Have We Done" leaves you asking yourself if Jesus really is the centre of your life.
Generally, when I'm listening to music I like it to rock out a little more than this. Having said that, over the period of time I've been listening to these albums I have found a few of the tracks, but especially "Have A Little Faith" sticking in my mind - it leaves you going around with the words "Have a little faith and trust in God" buzzing around your head, which surely must be the goal of every Christian artist. This is chill out and recharge your batteries type music.
