Nod Arvefel’s debut album, Messenger, was a delightful collection of joyful Christian music presented in a variety of styles. With Rescue Mission Man Arvefel bookends Messenger with 12 more songs sure to delight fans. As the album is dedicated to “all those who gather and serve the least, the last and the lost in more than 365 missions and homeless shelters throughout North America,” these fans are more than a few in number.

      As on the first album, most, if not every little bit of the music is created on synthesizers. On the more dramatic story songs (“Only” and “Glory To Him,” to name just two) Arfevel does a masterful job of orchestrating to the point that you can barely tell it’s a keyboard. But when he goes for rock and uses synthesized guitars or horns (“Reach Out” and “Celebrate,” to name just two) the result is an unconvincing 80s sound, making one wonder how great this album could be if he utilized a few real musicians now and then. That said, I’m unable to tell if he used a live drummer or if he’s just really good at programming the authentic and complex drum patterns that adorn these songs like foundational bricks of gold.

      Aside from his cheery vocal delivery, warm sense of humor and mature songwriting skills, highlights include the dramatic overture introduction of “Blessed Art Thou, O Isreal,” a song which could almost be a Christmas carol with sweet strings and chimes. “It’s Friday” is another aptly dramatic song, this time utilizing some very realistic guitar power chords to emphasize the powerful events of Good Friday. Accompanying this is Nod’s passionate vocal delivery, one of the best on the album. A smooth R&B feel permeates “I Shall Not Fear,” forming the sly drums into a real toe tapper, surprising the listener with an inventive sampled scat part in the middle.

      Also surprising and pleasing is an unexpected musical change at the very end of the rocky “My Glory and the Lifter Of My Head,” thrown in just to keep you on your toes in case you were too busy listening to Arvefel digging his voice in for this energetic worship song. And how can I leave off the title track, with its pedal steel that evokes a lonely mood despite the friendly, energetic beat? Finally, when Nod playfully tickles the ragtime ivories or enthusiastically massages the 88s (“Weep For Me”) there’s no doubt that he’s a master of the piano.

      With solid songwriting and a number of unique and humorous twists, as well as superb production from Monastic Chambers, Rescue Mission Man is a very worthy second album for fans of gospel music. Sound samples are available at www.nodarvefel.org, but you should be warned: once you get a taste, you’re going to want the whole enchilada.

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