ARTIST: Challenge
TITLE: Acoustic Universe
YEAR: 1996
LABEL: Splash International
RATING: 9

"Some of the best music I've ever heard..."

A pure rockin' feel good CD that deserves major label distribution. Staying true to the CD title there are no electric guitars, only acoustic. And what great guitars they are. Arno Verstappen is more than a guitar player, he is an intelligent guitar player. He plays his acoustic with a style I haven't heard in ages. A master of his instrument, just as Allison Lindsay is with her voice. She's singing each line as if she's lived the experience behind each of the songs. I don't think this project would work with any voice but hers. Both Arno and Lindsay compliment each other perfectly.

This is a collection of songs packed with a lot of harmony and emotion. The songs are about life and love, just as most songs are, but these 10 are written and performed with conviction. I think their choice to pass on the electric and all its effects is what sets this CD apart from the rest. Picking a favorite song is pretty hard, but I'd have to go with either "Wake Into Daylight" or "Don't Look Back."

BOTTOM LINE: There's no "challenge" in listening to this. It's a great CD that you'll have stuck in your CD player. Can't wait for the follow up.