I’d never heard of Burlap To Cashmere and, going in with absolutely no idea of what to expect, I was a little taken aback by how much “Don’t Forget To Write” sounded like Cat Stevens. So much, in fact, that it could have been a parody. But then “Build A Wall” rolled around and impressed. Yes, this is very much 1970s-era folk music with a dash of classic rock, but it’s got some edge and grit to it.

However, it makes for a somewhat conflicting listen. My problem with a lot of Christian music is how shamelessly it apes other genres rather than doing something unique, and Burlap To Cashmere do lean pretty hard on Simon and Garfunkel and the aforementioned Cat Stevens for their sound. At the same time, not many Christian artists are mining this particular musical vein, so the album still sounds quite fresh.

I can certainly see it appealing to older folks who grew up in the ’70s or younger folks who (like me) used to steal their Dad’s copy of Tea for the Tillerman quite regularly.

Three and a half stars out of five