Are You Ready? is the title of Kirk and Joni Bovill’s latest project, and while the question is taken from one of the album’s hottest tracks, it also is an appropriate one to ask of the listener before they embark on the audio ride.

The husband and wife team evidently revel in the breaking down of barriers, musical and otherwise, offering up a cross section of styles and approaches to musical ministry that defies categorization while appealing to a wide audience.

Joni’s musical roots go deep. As the brother of Henry Green (one of the three famous Williams Brothers), she brings her free-ranging, soul-laden vocals and expressive textures to the table. Kirk’s grittier style and songwriter prowess propels the couple’s musical ministry even further.

The sum package on Elmo Records is an edgy, soul-rock-folk fusion that brings surprises at nearly every turn.

One star cut is “Hold On” — a song that placed among finalists in the USA Songwriting Contest in 2002. Featuring a thumpy bass-driven bottom, mild rap interlude from West coast rapper Sevin (see album review), strong backing vocals from The Kenoly Brothers (see album review) among others, and lyrics which encourage resilience and perserverance in life, it’s very strong.

The folk essence of the title track “Are You Ready” features saxophone interludes from Tom Saviano and melts into a grooving chorus as Joni takes forefront vocals asking if you are “ready to meet your Saviour, ready to meet my Jesus right now”.

“You Are My Rock” is a soft ballad touched by splashes of Cedricke Dennis’ guitars. “Do You Believe (I Do)” is a catchy, guitar-driven pop gem with a descending melody-line hook on chorus that asks and answers a series of doctrinal questions.

On a more raucous tip, “Here I Go” comes at you with Kirk’s very John Mellancamp-esque vocal and instrumental vibe, as he marvels at the very fact that he is singing the Gospel. Joni’s interpretation of “Amazing Grace” is also quite a ride, after a preliminary lulling with vocals and organ.

Credit producer Randy Emata for putting together the sonic framework of the album. He does it well —no easy task considering the eclectic and almost whimsical nature of the musical sound on the disk.