WELCOME indeed believers and the doomed otherwise for it is your appreciation of sweet and uplifting songs which unites you.
Sadly, modern music of a religious bent commonly takes the form of pure-of-heart Christian rock acts with a huge swinging conservative axe to grind.

But there are other more thoughtful, quite huggable artistes who worship a prime mover - yet possess a more measured view of mankind and its failures. They will also have a mean record collection and be mates with Sufjan Stevens the ultimate bible thumbing prince of cool.

Brooklyn Presbyterian pastor Rev Thomas Vito Aiuto and his good wife Monique are Christians you wouldn’t mind being stuck in a lift with. Their faith is one truly wrought by a love of life and a bearded creator who probably wouldn’t mind you rolling a joint at his house as long as you puffed it out back mind.


Opener 'Up on a Mountain' calls to mind the peerless indie pop of Tanya Donnelly or the Deal sisters. It paints Jesus Christ as an ordinary man up to his neck in suffering yet still majestically atop the earth-bound concerns of folk who don’t have to worry about being the son of God. It’s an exquisite tune and producer Sufjan Stevens - as elsewhere - adds ethereal, un-threatening fairy dust to the fragranced vibe.

In fact the triumphant horns and angelic choirs which often accompany Rev Auito and Mrs Auito’s modern parables are the unmistakable sound of Sufjan – cultured, wise and weighty. A rich vein of carefully coaxed Gospel runs through WTTWW. It would be quite unwise to operate heavy machinery while sampling the blood-pumping, hand-clapping delight of 'For Those who Fear my Name', it is quite simply beautiful enough to make Satan blub – if he has access to the Asthmatic Kitty stable.

Alongside the excellent indie-with-a-purpose you get covers of a Smiths classic (Half a Person) which doesn’t quite work and a VU pearl (Jesus) which does.

This is a remarkable album crammed with good cheer and Little House on the Prairie brass balls. It's capable of making any unprejudiced listener sit up and wonder - whether they believe it or not.

Track-listing:
1. Up On A Mountain
2. Sold! To The Nice Rich Man
3. Unless the Lord the House Shall Build
4. He Never Said A Mumblin' Word
5. Hail To The Lord's Anointed
6. But For You Who Fear My Name
7. American Legion
8. You Made My Day
9. Half A Person
10. Jesus
11. I Am A Stranger
12. Deep Were His Wounds, And Red

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