From the Saltland to the River

By turns folksy, stirring, and bittersweet, Paul Colman’s first album in seven years is a work of impressive craft and honesty. Now recording independently, the former Newsboys guitarist takes a freewheeling approach to his songwriting and production, going for nuanced, scaled-down pop/rock sounds. Colman's road-seasoned vocals and acoustic guitar form the core of yearning tracks like “The End of Myself," “Your Cactus Heart,” and “I Miss You.” He shows off his rocker instincts on the buoyant “Home Again” and the driving, slide guitar–accented “Coming Back.” Whether the musical mood is tender or galvanizing, Colman delivers substantial lyrics steeped in Christian faith. “Welcome to the Human Race” (a biting commentary on mankind’s blindness and hypocrisy) and “Saved My Life” (a tale of salvation amid the temptations of the touring musician’s life) rework scriptural themes with vivid, idiosyncratic twists. From the upbeat barroom balladry of “The Best Is Yet to Come“ to the modern rock energy of “Alive,” Colman shows pleasing sonic variety here. From the Saltland to the River took a while to arrive, but it was definitely worth the wait.