专辑简介

by Jared Johnson

Mike Farris' second album of gospel-inspired blues-rock drew a surprising amount of buzz from both Christian and secular media, considering its lack of commercial appeal. This was due to a tantalizing combination of old-school soul and newfound gospel influences, which came as a breath of fresh New Orleans-style air. The 36-year-old Farris had fronted the '90s jam band the Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies before backing into a lead spot with Double Trouble (any blues-rock follower is familiar with the rhythm section that lived on well after Stevie Ray Vaughan). Having heard little from him since his roots rock solo debut,Goodnight Sun

, in 2002, Farris' fan base could not have predicted the warm reception given Salvation in Lights. The album was a combination of gospel standard covers and brassy originals that swept Southern influences from uptown Dixieland to the Memphis blues. What put the album in a league of its own -- besides Farris' brawny, rugged voice -- was superb rock production by Matt Martone(3 Doors Down,Skillet). The "salvation" penned in the album title referred to a moment at a relative's funeral in which Farris decided to overcome a personal battle with alcohol that had gone on and off for over a decade. One critic dubbed this "the album you wish Taylor Hickshad made," for the amount of enjoyable blues-rock that folks had been waiting to hear.