It's tough being a musician these days. While there remains much joy and glory to be had, these days it can be a pretty thankless task to start a new band or project, building it up from the ground, and making something of it. With music being much more disposable these days than it's ever been before, all credit to Tom Robson and Dan Lank, former members of the rather brilliant Brighton band Shortfall, for having the drive, determination and inspiration to come back with their new three-piece project, We Are Jonah. The trio, rounded out by drummer Mike Hussain, have, on their debut album “I Saw a Stranger Take A Dead Man's Place” (neat title, boys), managed to craft something pretty exciting, bursting with invention, and offering hope that Britain might finally be able to, again, boast a decent, Christ-honouring pop/rock band.

Opening with the driving “Said and Done”, the template is set early. Driving rhythms, punchy guitars, and widescreen vocal melodies combine for a memorable introduction to the new act. Dan Lank's vocals operate on the edge, sometimes controlled and melodic, sometimes exuberant, always passionate. To be honest, it's nice to hear a singer who sounds like he means it! The quality doesn't dip as we move on through the album, with the brilliant “Treason” and debut single “Something Beautiful” continuing to exhibit Jonah's burgeoning talent and potential. The chorus of “Treason” is made for shower singing (a compliment). Prepare for it to come to mind at highly inappropriate moments and have your head nodding and your toes tapping. “Something Beautiful” is similar. Perfect radio material, it is followed by the anthemic “Do You Feel Free?” which builds to a beautiful climax.

It'd be all-too-easy to write about each song in turn and say that they're all great, but what impresses most about this album is the cohesiveness of it. For a relatively new act, We Are Jonah have crafted something impressive, which more established acts will seek to emulate. While the album is not perfect, the passion and creativity which screams out through every chord, melody and hit of this record make it one of the most exciting releases of the year so far. Seek it out or miss out.

Review by Haydon Spenceley

LTTM Rating 4 out of 5 Stars

Standout Tracks
Treason
Something Beautiful
Do You Feel Free