Echoing Angels

This Atlanta-based Christian quintet has weathered the death of their manager and a switch in labels to record a batch of tunes with a noticeable Southern tinge. EA know how to flex their instrumental muscles while testifying to the redemptive power of the Spirit. On “Say What You Believe” and “Burnin’ Through the City,” they rock with a swagger worthy of vintage Aerosmith. Singer Trey Heffingtois is capable of delivering a Mac Powell-like growl, though he is equally capable of smooth R&B vocal moves, as evidenced by “Sad Sad Tears” and “Fire.” From the reassuring “Give You Peace” (co-written with Sara Groves) to the joyous, gospel-drenched “Leaving Here,” the band shows a willingness to test their limits. Faith remains at the album’s core, sometimes expressed explicitly (as in the worship song “Love So Beautiful”), sometimes more subtly (as in the folk-rocker “California”). Well-tailored strings and horns by producer/arranger Calvin Turner add to the impact of this diverse, consistently God-centered release.