REVIEW: Reuben Bidez – the Signs of God

Reuben Bidez The Signs of God
(Independent)

In all honesty, you may not be ready for this.

Following his big, anthemic, modern rock, corporate worship CD, GENERATION, Reuben – an Atlanta-based worship artist – felt a tug on his soul to do something quite a bit different with this project. Fans of Gungor, take note: though THE SIGNS OF GOD sounds nothing like Gungor, that same stretched feeling you got when first challenged by Gungor’s unorthodox take on worship resides here as well, for many reasons. [Read more...]

Review: The Loft Sessions by Bethel Music

Thanks to Kim Castro and Mat Reames for sharing their thoughts and insights on Bethel Music’s newest release, The Loft Sessions, which releases today.

Kim

Brian and Jenn Johnson, Jeremy Riddle, and other artists met to create an experimental and authentic worship experience made evident in this latest project, The Loft Sessions. At once moving and original, this work displays the talent and emotion of those wishing to praise the Almighty through music. Worship sessions were recorded in a refurbished loft, and this passionate, driving work shines with creativity. [Read more...]

Sojourn Music presents A Child Is Born

Release Date: November 22, 2011

Free Track at NoiseTrade

Christmas at Sojourn has always been a unique thing. From the first year in the life of the church, Sojourn have been fascinated by the more gritty side of the Christmas story. The church fathers chose the darkest time of the year to celebrate the dawning of the Light of Lights in the birth of Christ, the entrance of hope into darkness. The Christmas story itself is one of contrasts – God as a baby. A king in a manger. His birth was welcomed not by crowds and royalty, but by outcasts and foreigners. Because the Christmas story is ultimately a story of hope for the hopeless, healing for the broken, and light in the darkness. [Read more...]

Jesus Culture: Awakening CD Review

This past Tuesday, Jesus Culture released their 6th album. Awakening is a double album recorded live at the Jesus Culture Awakening conference in Chicago last august. This double album has 16 songs with an average song length of 6 minutes. It clocks in at 1 hour and 43 minutes.

I think Awakening is the perfect title for this, because the overarching theme of this album is awakening out hearts to the kingdom of God once again. Because of the length of the album and the sheer number of songs on it, I will highlight each disc and share moments that really ministered to me. This live album doesn’t cut anything out. Each song has a lengthy run simply because they wanted to capture the fullness of the song in its live atmosphere which adds something special to the music. [Read more...]

Review/Interview: Hymns & Sacred Songs by Leigh Nash

Thanks to Melanie Siewert for providing this review and interview for The Worship Community!

Leigh Nash fans are in for a special treat!  After 5 years, she is releasing her first solo album, Hymns & Sacred Songs through Kingsway.  For those who are unfamiliar with Nash, she is the lead voice of Sixpence None The Richer.  Hits like Kiss Me and Breathe Your Name, made Sixpence a mainstay in American pop culture.  When asked to record an album of hymns with Kingsway, Nash jumped at the opportunity.  Hymns & Sacred Songs holds a special value to Nash, and she graciously shared some of her thoughts with TWC. [Read more...]

REVIEW: John Mark McMillan – ECONOMY (giveaway)

Thanks to Shannon Lewis and Eddy Mann for sharing their thoughts about john Mark McMillan’s latest project, Economy, which drops tomorrow, Nov. 1, 2011. To celebrate, Integrity Music and The Worship Community are giving away TWO (2) copies of this album. All you have to do to enter is answer the question at the bottom of this review (1 answer per person please!) and you’re eligible* for our random drawing and giveaway.

Donwloadable Chord Charts (provided by Integrity Music):

REVIEW: Come Alive by Jeremiah Bowser

ARTIST: Jeremiah Bowser
RELEASE: Come Alive (April 1, 2011) | (iTunes)
LABEL: Independent

 

 

HIGHLIGHTS:
5. I will not be Denied
2. Nothing can compare to You

 

Jeremiah Bowser is an international worship artist & “musical missionary” (as Ignition Point Ministries) based out of Jacksonville, FL who ministers at conferences, churches, and events primarily in the Southeastern USA & South America, but has been all over the world. I first encountered Jeremiah when opening for him at the Murray Hill Theatre in Jacksonville, FL several years ago & have been following his growing ministry since. [Read more...]

Review: Vineyard UK’s My Soul Yearns

Thanks to Jesse Gordon & Melanie Siewert for sharing their insights on Vineyard UK’s latest project, My Soul Yearns.

Recorded live at the 2011 Vineyard National Leaders Conference along with 1000 attendees comprising of leaders from the UK, Ireland and European Vineyard churches, My Soul Yearns releases today (Sept. 13) from Kingsway with EMI CMG Distribution in the US.  The acclaimed album offers new and recently released worship songs that capture the heart and passion of Vineyard worship.

Released September 13, 2001 (in the U.S.) it’s available at iTunes.

[Read more...]

Review: City Harmonic’s I Have A Dream (It Feels Like Home) October 18

Thanks to Justin Hitchborn for providing this review of City Harmonic’s latest project, I Have a Dream (It Feels Like Home), for The Worship Community.

City Harmonic’s I Have A Dream (It Feels Like Home) is available on iTunes October 18, 2011.

From City Harmonic’s website:

“I guess we didn’t worry too much about whether these songs were ‘singable’ or not,” admits Elias “People don’t sing along to old hymns because they’re ‘singable’ – the songs move them and mean a lot to them. They weren’t simple in the way that people sometimes suggest worship songs should be, but people connected with them anyway. We can’t make worship music formulaic, we have to move and inspire people. I hope we can write songs that are creative and honest. The kind of songs that capture people’s hearts and minds – then I believe their voices will follow. I pray people can connect with them and make them their own. Hopefully they aren’t worship songs simply because we say so, but because they come from honest, worshipful lives and inspire the same in others.”

[Read more...]

Review: Radiant Worship’s Boldly Close

Thanks to Mat Reames, Melanie Siewert & Justin Hitchborn for sharing their insights on Radiant Worship’s latest project, Boldly Close.

Mat

Radiant Worship releases their newest Album “Boldly Close” this October. This is simply their best album yet. Most people do not know Radiant worship, but it is likely that you have heard their song You Are Holy (Isaiah 6) which has been covered by Bryn Wadell of The Ramp, Ian McIntosh of Jesus Culture, and Christ For the Nations among others.

Boldly Close is the Eighth release from radiant but shows a marked change. This album is a step up from previous albums in terms of its production value. It still keeps the raw emotion that has kept Radiant Worship a mainstay on my ipod for years. [Read more...]