I suppose the best evidence of how I view this album would be to confess that I’ve sat here through the morning with tears on my cheeks as I absorb the potency of its tribute, truly a well-rendered offering.
Third Day, a band of gravelly-voiced, southern-fried rockers in alignment with their Maker offer up a slough of worship songs possessed of an edgy sweetness.
Easily the pick of the litter is a stunning live rendition of the late Rich Mullins’ ‘I Believe’. This rocked-up rendition of the historic Apostle’s Creed gets its spiritual credibility from the anti-mood-of-the-moment refrain:
And I believe what I believe in
is what makes me what I am.
And I did not make it,
no it is making me
It is the very truth of God
and not the invention of any man.
When I played this song for a group of colleagues in the Middle East recently, one greatly appreciated friend found it repugnant because the performers were ‘up there shouting about sacred things’. I beg to differ. Apostolic clarity is only seldom so poignantly spoken and, in my view, with so little self-absorption.
Third Day‘s formula is a rock-the-basement bass line with strong acoustic and electric guitars and dependable drumming, all fronted by the inimitable Mac Powell on vocals. Powell has one of those voices that conjures up a full-grown man-baby being born ready and willing to sing from Day One.
It was probably not like this. Perhaps he only began his ragged crooning on the third day.
What this middle-aged reviewer, who perhaps knows enough of both cynicism and hope to offer an opinion, is the wonder of these men turning their talents to praise, to the crafting of an offering.
As they sing, in one of these unforgettable tracks, others have offered more but his is all I have.
Indeed.
It sounds good to hear them place it in just that way.
Canter Bridge 
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