My Name is Earl: The Album [Soundtrack]

If, like me, you grew up with early U2 standards such as 40, Gloria and Sunday Bloody Sunday, you will find very creditable versions of them here. Hearing these old favourites through the gauze of newer rock sounds makes me wonder if we'll see some resurrections on the next U2 tour.

Tobymac's Mysterious Ways rocks, Nichole Nordman's Grace lulls and Grits' With or Without You is admirably updated in and r'n'b style. Personally, I think Johnny Cash, another Christian, should have had his version of One, but Tait do a fine job.

Ultimately, most fans will concur that U2 are uncoverable. How can you have Streets without Eno's intro? When Love Comes to Town without BB King? And Sixpence None the Richer??! A xylophone, I ask you...

If, however, u2 fans wish to re-visit some old tunes and touch base with what appears to be a vibrant US Christian rock scene, while supporting a very good cause then this one is worth a leap of faith.

Over the last few years, prompted mainly by Bono's mission to raise awareness and funds for the AIDS crisis in Africa, we have seen both U2's and the church's attitude to each other change. There's more grace and less judgement in a more balanced relationship. This album is perhaps the result or start of the two reconciling their differences.

On In the name of Love we have a selection of Christian artists performing various U2 tracks from the last few generations. The best tracks on the album are the ones where the artists have not tried to sound like too much like U2. Pillar provide a heavier version of Sunday Bloody Sunday, Sanctus Reel perform a very adequate Beautiful Day, Sixpence None the Richer make Love is Blindness their own while Audio Adrenaline take on Gloria with fervour.

TAIT's version of One is fine although almost anyone could do a good version of the song voted best song ever in a recent Q magazine poll. All I Want Is You by Jars of Clay sounds great, 40 by Starfield is fine but not as good as DC Talks recent version and Todd Agnew performs When Love Comes to Town with surprising gusto (it takes a lot to follow after BB King).

The disappointments are actually two of the most popular U2 songs, Pride performed by Delirious and Where the Streets Have No Name by Chris Tomlin, both sound too much like the originals.

The highlights are TobyMac's very funky Mysterious Ways, Nichole Nordeman's very peaceful Grace while the Grits (featuring Jadyn) will haunt you with their version of With or Without - the best track on the album.

Don't forget that some of the proceeds go to World Vision making it a more satisfying album to buy and listen to.