
As a songwriter in New Zealand, adult alternative/folk artist Derek Lind has an advantage over many Christian artists toiling within the ccm industry in America; over there, Christianity is not an exclusive "club" where you sweat over the danger of running across any pagans. Consequently, although his songs are overtly evangelical, Lind's salt and irony is firmly rooted, without resorting to any "shock value." Stations, Derek Lind's second import into America, is a fine balancing act, from the tenderness of "When The Bow Breaks" to the restrained bitterness of "Lightning Strike," from the devotional "I Call Out Your Name" to the dissatisfaction of "Nothing Looks The Same." The highlight of the album is "First Up," a clever piece about acceptance speeches, where celebrities thank "God" for the award - yet, their frivolous lifestyles indicate that the "God" they're thanking must not have any impact on their real lives. The lyrical breadth of Stations confuse some, but it is certainly a stellar piece of modern folk. Derek Lind is as challenging as he is entertaining.