|PIC1|The World Means You to God is the debut album from Scottish/Irish newcomers Beyond and is the answer to anyone praying for a fresh dose of good Christian indie music.

The band describe their coming together as haphazard and that is certainly the feeling of the album which brings together a rather unsorted collection of rock and indie lamentations.

The slightly melancholy overtones of this album mean it is certainly not to everyone’s taste, particularly if you are more into the familiar spirit-lifting Chris Tomlin-style praise. But it is something that particularly young soul-searchers will enjoy, whether Christian or not.

What comes through the songs is the deep realisation of the guys behind the music; these are four young Christians who have genuinely realised how lost and painful this world is without Christ and they mourn that.

Hence, ‘Broken’, the testimony of a converted former drug addict set against music which seems to express everything the band want to say to the world through their music. All in all, this album is a testimony to the only answer for all the world’s problems: Christ.

One of the liveliest songs on the album is ‘Won’t Leave Me Lonely’, a symbol clashing rock anthem that resembles a slightly heavier version of the unrefined sounds of sixties rock and tracks like ‘I’m not like everybody else’ by The Kinks.

|TOP|But the quieter, more reflective compositions, some of which verge into the psychedelic, fill up the bulk of the album and this is where their true strength lies. ‘Warcry’, ‘Who Could Stand’, ‘Feel It Inside’, ‘My Jesus My Hero’ are just some of the tracks particularly worth a listen. It is in these songs, as varied as they are, that the band really seem to find their feet and their talent as song makers can really shine through.

What is great about The World Means You to God is that this album leaves plenty of room for growth and development. Each track on the album provides the listener with a snapshot of what more the band is undoubtedly capable of. We are only left with higher expectations of what fruit the band will produce for album number two.

Beyond are: David Paul, Lewis Gault, Peter McFarlane, Rob Gault