As a long time fan of Rapture Ruckus, I was amazed and excited to hear of his recent signing to the BEC/Tooth & Nail label. Very few artists from New Zealand ever get the chance to impact American markets so the fact that a local act which has been influencing lives here for years finally got signed at a US Label is great.

After buying Rapture Ruckus's previous two albums, which blew me away with both the musical and lyrical quality, I was more than ready to hear more. So it is no understatement that I was overjoyed to hear, that a limited edition EP would be made available for Rapture Ruckus fans at the Parachute Christian Music Festival in January, 2010. I even arrived at the Festival early just so I could get the EP.

The EP opens with "All We Got," a guitar and bass driven track that sounds a whole lot better when played very loud. While containing very little in the way of Spiritual lyrics, the song is both very fun and very catchy while staying true the gritty "Ruckus Sound" that longtime fans enjoy about him.

The next track brings something new to the Ruckus. The synth-driven "Tonight" is another party track which, when played live later that night, fast became a fan favorite. Apparently written about being able to have one carefree night of letting go, the track is musically one of the best ever produced by Rapture Ruckus. Within two weeks, it hit #1 on NZ Christian radio.

The third track of the EP is without a doubt the best Ruckus song so far. "Hold On" has become a fan favourite even before its release with the song being a staple part of the Ruckus set list for the past year and a half. Written for a friend who's struggling, I can easily see it charting highly in the US.

With no time for pause, the bass-driven "All things New" comes on, a beautiful epic sounding worship track that hits home with a message about God's faithfulness. "Catch me Ridin'" is where the Ruckus proves that they can make a tight hip hop beat of the likes of Manafest and Lecrae. It's a tight track about why they follow Christ. I'm quite surprised it's been cut from the US release.

The final track has been a crowd favorite since its release in 2007 as a single. Now remastered, the turntable-backed "No Matter What" is all about never giving up and ties in brilliantly with the overall album theme of withstanding the trials and tribulations of life. Rapture Ruckus has a knack for making a track that is both worshipful and exceptionally catchy at the same time.

Without a doubt, this new material is some of the best ever produced by Rapture Ruckus. The only thing that could have made it better was if there was more of it. It's hard hitting and yet fun at the same time. I'm sure that within the next few years we will see big things from Rapture Ruckus. I for one am eagerly looking forwards till June 8th when I can pick up the US release which contains a slightly different track listing.

JFH Reader Review: written by David Hannah, 5/25/10, for Jesusfreakhideout.com