Listen Closely

Smalltown Poets tends toward accessible folk pop, with instrumental emphasis on acoustic guitar and piano while the band plays without overwhelming the song. Sure, you can listen closely to the project, however the meaning and content of these songs are readily available, floating near the surface. Sensible, listenable, warm and friendly are thoughts that come to mind when describing Listen Closely, which makes the talking intro to "Quasar" and the noisy explosion at the end of it seem out of place on the rest of the disc. Otherwise, throughout the project the songs are constructed around solid melodies and singable hooks, often telling the story of faith sparked and deepened. "New Man" and "Call Me Christian" are straight-forward and self-explanatory. Other favorites include "Garland of Grace," "The Gospel is Peace" and "Long Long Way."

Smalltown Poets does not strive to break new ground but rather to travel familiar territory in vibrant, faith-enriching fashion. In that regard the band has created a satisfying second outing, smartly written and well recorded.