(Photo :The Akins)

Never snicker at the Biblical notion of child sacrifice as primitive.  On the altar of money, promotion and job-related egos, we still sacrifice our kids by sheer neglect in the name of busyness.  Too often in our pursuit of our own selfishness, we have seldom taken the time to communicate, understand, mentor, and disciple our own children until it is far too late.  But this is not so with David Akin.  In 1988 while David Akin was leading worship at a youth retreat he met the son of a prominent evangelist.  The evangelist had just passed away; the son shared with David that, while he knew his father loved him, they hardly knew each other. That night, while David was in his hotel room, he was on his knees in prayer.  He wanted to do something with his three sons so that at the end of the day his children would know him intimately.  In July 2008 God answered that prayer when David and his three sons (Dave, Nick and Eli) were signed to Crossroads Records as the Akins.   As the Akins they have gone to record three records; they were also nominated for "Horizon Group of the Year" twice in the Singing News Fan Awards.  They have also received multiple nominations from the Inspirational Country Music Association. And in May 2010, "I Want My Stage to be an Altar" became the group's first #1 hit on the Singing News radio charts.

When you are family, no one gets left behind.  This is the mantra the Akins has adopted in the making of "Based on a True Story." All the songs here are penned by various members of the family which really sets them apart from other Southern Gospel quartets who are fond of covers.  Also what christens this family quartet with individuality is that they have layered their tight and warm harmonies over sunny zesty tunes that owe more to Rascal Flatts than the Gaither Vocal Band.  On the chug-a-lugger "Big God," the Akins burst out freeing God from the idolatrous domestication we often subject Him to making Him come across as bigoted, mean, petty and judgmental.   While on the groovy lead single "Kneel" the Akins shares with us the secret of their bright and confident disposition even in the midst of difficulties:  "When life is more than you can stand, kneel."  The jauntily bluesy pop title cut, "Based on A True Story" is an apology for why they choose to sing about Jesus Christ rather than on secular concerns.  

On the second half of the record, the tempo slows down a few notches. "He Loved Me Anyway" is a textbook example of a country power-ballad calling to mind the Band Perry at their finest.  Listening to how the boys join their voices in harmony is just glorious.  Fans have already vouched for "Look Out the Window," a banjo and fiddle hued bluegrass-country ballad, as the sequel to their signature hit "I Want My Stage to be an Altar."  The acoustic guitar-driven "The Ride Home" and the mid-tempo "He Said I Am" are both nostalgic nods to the warm fires of home and family life.  Just like the comfort of a warm bath after a laborious day, these songs are soothing and encouraging.   

The Akins does step out of their comfort zone with "Too Far Gone."  Starting off accapella with just their voices, "Too Far Gone" has an eighties country reverb that calls to mind Alabama in their "Mountain Music" era.   However, for traditional southern Gospel fans, "Based on a True Story" may be too progressive.  But for those who love their gospel music on the progressive country side, this disc is a treat.  And when they sing about families worshipping God together, you know it's more than mere rhetoric.  Rather, this is a family that truly sings together because they are united in heart and soul proclaiming the true story of Jesus Christ in songs.