Dale Campbell is a man of many talents. One of the pastors at Northcote Baptist, he also plays piano in the marvellous little indie band Great North. Not content with that, he’s put together an unassuming project entitled Good Old Church Songs, available at dalecampbell.bandcamp.com for whatever price you’d like to pay.

The concept is simple: classics like “The Old Rugged Cross” and “All Creatures of Our God and King” played in an alt-country style. These aren’t hackneyed “re-imaginings,” either. Campbell is faithful to the originals, though of course they do bear his own stamp.

As for influences, the rustic instrumentation brings to mind Bon Iver, with Campbell’s voice a halfway point between David Bazan and Johnny Cash. It adds up to an understated, well-crafted and perhaps the most enjoyable album of worship songs I’ve heard since the last one by the David Crowder Band. It’s theologically deep and beautifully played. So, Kiwis, avert your eyes from the American and British worship scenes. The quality stuff is emerging in our own back yard.

Five stars out of five