by Rob Evans
November 1998

IMPORTSTITLE

Challenge - Acoustic Universe
(Splash International)

As the title suggests this is an acoustic album that features the talents of vocalist Allison Lindsay and guitarist Arno Verstappen, who came together at an audition and decided to form a band with a back to basics approach to capture their songs in their most naked and pure form.

Both musicians have an impressive pedigree behind them, that includes the Guitar Institute of Technology and the Sabine Institute of Vocal Coaching plus some impressive reviews in the American press and Burrn in Japan.

The style of the band could be compared to the type that you would find in most American coffee houses, a bit like Central Perk, where Phoebe from "Friends" plays, only they're nowhere near as good as Phoebe (only joking).

They also remind me of Heart (acoustic style), Amanda Marshall and Jaime Kyle with the songs themselves covering a whole host of emotions and topics ranging from love ("Angels - Scared To Fly"), Hurt ("Words") and Crime ("Wake Into Daylight") with the standout tracks being "It's My Life" with its upbeat chorus and passionate delivery from Allison Lindsay, "When Love Finds A Fool" that borrows heavily from Jaime Kyle and "How Does It Feel" a simple tale of love gone bad.

Put simply this is a gorgeous album full of melody and not an electric guitar in sight, just proving that good songs will always lead the way and good songs is something that Challenge have in abundance. I for one am really looking forward to album no 2 in the near future.

Well recommended
8/10