REVIEW by Willard Manus
     
This is the first Christian Rock record I've ever listened to. The genre is something of a musical contradiction: deeply devout lyrics backed up by an amped-up, screaming guitar that calls to mind Jimi Hendrix. It takes a little getting used to, the marriage of religious and secular, but once I made the adjustment, I found myself enjoyiug what I heard.

Riddle is a triple-threat performer. He wrote all twelve songs on the CD (the 13th cut is an instrumental) and not only sings them but plays lead guitar. And how he does play, with a fiery intensity and virtuosity.

He's backed up on most tunes by Bobby Rubalcaba on bass, Richard Ruiz on drums, joined occasionally by Damon Lewis (keyboards) and Randy Jones (percussion). Whatever the mix, the musical result is always the same: classic, hard-driving rock 'n roll with a Christian message.

As for the lyrics, here's a sample:

Lord knows I ain't no angel, but he loves me just the same

Lord knows I ain't no angel, but he loves me just the same

When I think of the things I've done I want to hang my head in shame...

Lord knows I ain't no angel, but he loves me just the same

And since his love has come over me, I'm gonna praise his holy name

Ex-sinner that he is, Riddle truly loves the God he has recently found. Being born-again has saved him, it would appear; and the passion and fervor have spilled over into his music, to good effect.