A POP band, whose songs are written by a husband-and-wife team of former punks, hope their music will inspire listeners to think about the spiritual side of life.

SMVB, formed by singer and guitarist Sam McVey, 32, of Oswaldtwistle, are all committed Christians and believe their music can help young people explore their beliefs.

The band, who have been playing in their current line-up for two years, have just released their debut mini-album.

Sam is a youth worker who helps children who have been expelled from school.

She writes the band's material with her husband Mark, who is also a youth worker.

As well as Sam, the band consists of Chris Walton, 21, from Nelson, on lead guitar; bassist Geoff Soltau, 33, from Nelson; Rossendale drummer David Haywood, 22; and David's wife Melanie on keyboards.

The five-piece hope to follow in the footsteps of bands like Delirious? who have made the top 20 despite the stigma often attached to bands with religious leanings.

Delirious? have recently been given credibility by the support of comic Neil Morrissey, who loves their music despite not sharing their faith.

Opening track New Day, an acoustic ballad, is probably the most accessible song for those who have not yet been converted. Breaking into melodic pop with briskly strummer guitars and shimmering delay effects, it also has a rocky chorus.

The song speaks of the hope which the band believe God brings into everyday lives. Second track This Is My Future is a modern pop song, with keyboards punctuating things in a Spice Girls-like manner and understated funk guitar licks in the background.

You Are My Shelter is built around Sam's vocals and is a little too much like a pop hymn for my liking.

But the riff-heavy All The People starts with a guitar part in the Nirvana or Mudhoney mould, rocking along until it reaches a quiet part in the middle.

There's a dance mix of the first track, which doesn't really add much.

This is the band's testament and their message obviously comes from the heart.

Their album will certainly inject some vigour and relevance into the worship groups they are involved with.

But for a non-believer, the lyrics on some songs didn't stop God being an abstract concept and some of the words were almost biblical.

If the band are to win over cynics like me, they'll have to up the pace a fraction and concentrate less on God the mighty king and ruler and more on what practical help God can bring to people's lives.

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