The titular "Patterns" needs to be read with a wink.  Cloverton's debut full length album is anything but patterned after a single stencil.  While many worship albums often slip into the post grunge rock or stadium pop autopilot mode, these 13 tracks are far from predictable.  In fact, other than saying that this is a worship album, "Patterns" defies categorization.  Rather than carbon copying the sounds of Darlene Zschech or Hillsong or Matt Redman, this one of those records that is personal, adventurous, innovative and fresh-sounding.  Calling to mind Five for Fighting or a post-modern version of Elton John, this four men band has utilized the keyboard as the modus operandi.  On the other hand, sometimes they are also not afraid to hype up their sound with crashing rock rhythms or imbued their vocals in a more string-imbued ethereal.  Lyrically, with titles like "White Knuckles," "Bridge" and "Green Light," they tip towards the side of poetic subtlety with well-developed metaphors and images rather than the blatant "I love you Jesus" nondescript cadence. 

Cloverton consists of Lance Stafford (piano/vocals), his twin brother Layne Stafford (bass), Kirby LeMoine (drums) and Josh Svorinic (guitars). Propelled into the music scene in 2011 after winning the ROCK THE CAMP contest hosted by TobyMac and Camp Electric, they released their debut EP "The End is Beginning."  Immediately gaining traction with media, Cloverton scored the #1 most downloaded song in the history of KLOVE radio for their first single "Take Me into the Beautiful."  Partnering with producer Joshua Niles (who has had worked with Heather Headley, Slugs and Blugs and Jars of Clay), the album is bookended by two instrumentals, both of which have Greek titles. "Anatole," the Greek word for "sunrise" aptly opens the set as it quickly segues into "Someday."  Like the tepid arrays of the early morning sunlight, the tinkling keyboard jumps and the soft peddling of the drums bring forth a sense of hope as Lance Stafford sings about our security in Christ.  "Someday" looks to the days "When the wandering ends someday / And we rest on Your wings someday / We will dance in the sky someday / Sing with angels on high someday."

One of this album's most cherished strengths is the Cloverton's piquant use of words.  Instead of just writing for the ear, Cloverton uses words to paint allowing us to see how their lyrics come alive in three-dimensional realism.  "Green Lights" is a prime example.  A song that speaks of God's eagerness for his prodigal son to come home, see rifle of images depicted: " It's a green light for you to find the arms of a love / They're lifting you up / It's a green light for you to find / This sea has a floor that's leading you up to the shore / Go Go." On the other hand, the soft contemplative ballad "Bridge" is a song of again about a spiritual infidel.  Deliberately set on taking paths tangential to God all his life, the song speaks of the time when the protagonist finally reaches the October of his years.  It was then when he realises that the God whom he tries to avoid all his life is still building bridges towards him.  The closing lines of this touching love song are just pulverising: "I built a kingdom bigger than Egypt / I built a wealth richer than gold / I built a hole that came between us / You built a bridge / Built it for me / I'm coming home."    

Another song that is noteworthy of repeated listening is "White Knuckle."  For those of us who are control freaks who love to be in control of life will be hit at heart.  "White Knuckles" is a gorgeous challenge for us to surrender to Christ each day.  More alarm clock ringing moments come with "Glowing in the Dark," a thumping pop burner that wakens us to live for Christ.  The album closes with another instrumental with the Greek title "Psallo."  It is interesting that just before Jesus embarked on his journey to the Cross it is said that he sang a "psallo."  Could Cloverton's decision to end the record with a song entitled "psallo" be a send-off for each of us to not just listen to this record, but to actually get up and go carry our Cross like our Master did?  And if that's the case, isn't that's what worship music is all about?  Worship music is more than just mere entertainment, rather it equips us to carry our Crosses for Jesus Christ.

Cloverton "Patterns" Album [VIDEO]