I stumbled along this "diamond" many years ago at our nearest Christian bookstore one evening, when I was suffering a rare case of "metal burn-out." I desperately needed, and wanted, a change. Towards the back of the store, there was a stereo and a wealth of Christian demo tapes nearby, ready for listening. I was determined to find anything that looked "non-metal." Before I gave up, my eye caught this one cassette, Dance House Children, Songs & Stories. Although I wasn't really sure what awaited me, I slipped on the headphones...

My first thoughts were, "Is this a dream?! These guys are great!" Dance House Children are two brothers, Ronnie and Jason Martin, who have given the music world (particularly the Christian market), a strong debut of electronic/dance music-complete with cool beats and rhythms, beautiful melodies, engaging lyrics, and Ronnie Martin's high, soft vocals, which I like, and quickly got my attention.

Although it's not an issue for me, DHC's lack of "lyrical boldness" may be a turn-off for some. Nevertheless, Ronnie and Jason Martin make it clear on this debut that they are born again Christians, and lyrical Divinity is present. You have to look and listen for Christ, but He is there.

In the song, "Held By Your Wishes," they sing, "...For you I'll give up my only child/to those that murder/and seek nothing after life/so come back to me/come back to me..." Who gave up Their Only Child to murderers (...the ones that crucified), and Who pleads with us to come back to Him? In, "Beautiful and Lovely," "...I will weep until the moon is blue/then Jesus kisses, happy wishes all come true... You're so beautiful and lovely..."

Another aspect of Dance House Children's lyrics that really impress me is their artistic ability to write about friendship, love, and romance, while NOT being sexually suggestive, obscene, or degrading. In "Grandfather Clock," they sing, "Free me to be/with my love on the prairie/So summer and spring time will pass all around us/My dear's on the slopes of the moors/and whispers me secrets/sacred and timeless..."

Dance House Children's Songs & Stories is a strong debut, and well worth checking out, if you haven't done so already.