Come to the River features a plethora of heartfelt lyrics built over a solid foundation of guitar-driven, southern rock anthems. The Rhett Walker Band falls somewhere between fellow label-mates Third Day and Casting Crowns. There is a definite southern country feel with a banjo here, a slide guitar there, and Rhett’s deep husky vocals. But there is also a strong rock overtone with several brilliant, though sadly, rather short, guitar solos. 

The lyrics tell of Rhett’s personal testimony and God’s redemption and grace. When he was 17 he was kicked out of school for doing drugs and fighting. At the same time, his equally young girlfriend was pregnant with his child. Rhett describes how he knew at that point he had to find Jesus or he faced losing everything. The Rhett Walker Band’s debut album retells this prodigal son’s story and does so in a beautiful and musically mature manner. 

Three and a half stars out of five