TheWorshipCommunity.Com - Worship Leader Resources, Articles, Forums» Reviews

REVIEW: Reuben Bidez – the Signs of God

Shannon Lewis — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:38:38 +0000

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.

Reuben explains his heart behind THE SIGNS OF GOD; “It all started when I attended the Jesus in the Qur’an seminar.” Now, if that sentence has already thrown you, these articles Muslim Followers of Jesus? and A Muslim Follower of Jesus: a Response from Christianity Today may be helpful. Reuben continued, “It blew me away when I realized how much Muslims and Christians had in common.” Based on the 7 stories that the Bible and Qur’an have in common, THE SIGNS OF GOD, Reuben says, “is rooted in finding peace through what we have in common. Rarely are great relationships born from disagreement and argument. I hope that we can sit down with a Muslim friend and talk about how significant these stories are as they relate to God’s mercy for mankind – that we’d set our preconceptions and agendas aside and just talk about life, family, and Jesus!”

Musically, Reuben experiments greatly with the same approach of combining middle-eastern melodies with modern Brit-rock and English folk songwriting that the Beatles experimented with in their mid-to-late period. His vocals are authentically raw and at times almost fragile, and the music and tempo of each song are well paired with the themes of each Biblical story. The results are fresh and interesting, at the very least, and at best, quite challenging and captivating.

My personal highlights would be “Abraham”, which feels at once both ancient and modern, “Moses”, an epically triumphant call to freedom, and “David”, the albums’ only – but very effective – guitar-driven, raucous rocker.

I can’t help but admire Reuben for his love of Jesus, his radical heart for Muslims, and his absolute refusal to retread the same old ground. This CD is risky and he knows it – and many will not be ready for it – but Reuben has taken a big step towards being Jesus to a people who don’t often encounter Christ – sadly though it be – in their engagements with so-called Christians. If you’re willing to face the challenge, this CD is for you.

Review: The Loft Sessions by Bethel Music

Russ Hutto — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 16:12:30 +0000

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.

As a burgeoning pianist, the opening strains of One Thing Remains drew me in like a moth to a flame. The light piano riff sets the tone for a song both cheerful and contemplative. The mix of instruments and voice is wonderful. The song starts strong-it begins with lead vocals and wailing background vocals that are supported by a strong percussion section, then circles back to end with the piano. This song may be somewhat difficult for an inexperienced or “green” worship team, but if well done, is an excellent choice for corporate worship. It is beautiful and compelling.

I love the first person perspective of God’s voice in Come to Me. The strong vocals backed by acoustic guitars, then piano, brings to the worshiper a tone of authenticity. I also like the difference between verse and chorus-verses are rhythmically dancelike, but the chorus is soaring and smooth. I, personally, would love to try this song, a simplified version at least, while leading corporately. I believe it offers a lot in terms of setting an atmosphere of worship. Very thoughtful and lyrically simple, it’s as if God himself is speaking.

Walk In The Promise follows on the heels of Come to Me, and is in every way as strong as the other tracks on this album. This song is very atmospheric and almost touches on an environmental style. It speaks of “hope and healing…with fire and with wind…you fall on us again.” It is a song that implores God to come and fulfill His promises. There is definitely a beseeching tone to the song, and I would recommend this song be used in towards the end of a worship session, as it is emotionally wrenching. The arrangement and quality of voice and instrument is, in my opinion, flawless. It ends with a simple phrase, “We lift you up!” – a fitting way to end.

One of the final tracks on the album is This is What You Do. Upbeat, with acoustic guitars, hand clapping, and a small chorus of voices, this song reminds me of modern folk. It is simple, yet charming. It is a song that invites people to stand and sing, even dance. I love it. The chorus is repetitive, but this definitely adds to the ease of singing along.

“This is what you do, this is what you do…you make me come alive!”

Again, this is a selection that would fit perfectly into a contemporary worship service. Even the most conservative of worshippers will be tapping their feet to this one!

The Loft Sessions, for me, is one of the most enjoyable worship projects yet. Musically, everything is strong. Vocals are almost flawless, and instruments are manipulated beautifully. The recording quality is gorgeous. Overall, a beautiful offering in the world of contemporary worship music.

Kim Castro is a worship leader and songwriter hailing from central California. Her heart is to obey the Great Commission and to serve others as God leads.

Mat

The Loft Sessions is a very powerful intimate worship album. A lot of which comes from the smaller intimate setting with only friends and family involved as opposed to a large church night of worship.

This album will really help churches that do not have huge teams with lots of high tech equipment. While this isn’t an acoustic album, it has a much more stripped down feel. The high energy praise songs still show a softer side that almost any team can use. It has a feel at times that reminds me of Benjamin Dunn and friends or Rend Collective Experiment with the liberal use of banjo and xylophone tones.

I loved the song My Dear which just drips with the overflow of love between God and man. The high energy of this song makes it perfect for really getting a congregation on their feet. We all know that it’s a Bethel album so all the songs are for corporate worship and will make their way into church repertoires all over the world. So just assume that fact applies to all the songs. Hunter Thompson really marks his place on the Bethel family with this offering.

You Have Won Me is a song I have heard in live sets at Bethel, but this recording take it to a whole new level. The Benjamin Dunn influence is very strong in this especially in the intro with the banjo and the vocal “Whoa.” I am very excited about this song and now have to go buy a banjo and subsequently learn to play it just for this song.

Newcomer to the Bethel Worship family Stefany Frizzell just breaks out with her song You Know Me. It has a classic feel to it with soft vocals, piano leads with cello undertone. The lyricism in this song just brings me to my knees. This may be her first Bethel outing, but I am eagerly anticipating when she gets to release her own solo album. This must be played in our churches; the passion is palpable in a way few songs have achieved.

I could discuss every song on this album in depth, but I don’t want to spoil all of your fun when you hear the album for yourself, because you know you want it. It’s fresh, its new, and its something spectacular.

It’s a full 5 star album.

The final song This is What You Do is a great song that closes out the album with excitement. Its upbeat with clapping as percussion instead of heavy drums. It is about how God causes us to live. It’s a great ending to a great album.

So go to itunes or your local worship music retailer and get this. If you don’t like it, give it to someone because if you don’t, I know the next guy will. It’s just that good of an album.

Mat Reames is a worship leader at Eagle Rock Church in Lawrence, Kansas and blogs at www.matreames.com.

Bethel Music | The Loft Sessions | itunes | facebook | @bethelmusic

Sojourn Music presents A Child Is Born

Russ Hutto — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 17:40:35 +0000

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.

Sojourn Church has sought for many years to capture that emotion in their Christmas music. There’s a place for joy, a necessary and central place for celebration, but that joy and celebration has its most weight when seen in the context of the suffering and longing from which it emerges. So Christmas music at Sojourn has always had a dark edge, a sense of tension and angst, which points us to the darkness of our own hearts that longs for the light of Christ.

This new CD recording, titled “A Child Is Born,” is birthed almost directly out of Sojourn Church’s Christmas worship services. The members of Sojourn recorded this new list of tracks at home, so to speak, at the 930 Arts Center (our Midtown campus) and at Eddy Morris’s, Sojourn’s Production Director and at Ear Candy studios, where Sojourn also recorded the albums, “Before the Throne” and “These Things I Remember.” Sojourn’s own pastor, Mike Cosper, states, “It’s an indie rock record, recorded the indie rock way, piecing together what we could to give fans and music lovers this homemade gift. It’s not perfect, but most home-made things aren’t.”

Sojourn Church also reached out to some friends and borrowed their songs for the making of “A Child Is Born,” including Bifrost Arts’ “Joy Joy,” a song based on a very old melody that perfectly captures that tense, advent joy. They also recorded Bill Mallonee’s “Knocking at Your Door”, a song we sing every Advent season whose gritty and earthy words bring the season home. In addition is Sandra McCracken’s “This is the Christ” a text McCracken reworked from Martin Luther, and was an instant favorite for Sojourn during last year’s holiday sermons.

In addition, Sojourn Church has a number of originals and traditional songs, including a punk-rock inspired “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” the grittiest version of “Go Tell it On the Mountain,” anyone will ever hear and ambient pop versions of “Hark the Herald Angels Sing,” and “Silent Night,” a John Newton text reworked by Brooks Ritter (“Oh Glorious Hour”) and an ancient anonymous text reworked by Jamie Barnes (“A Voice is Sounding”).

Sojourn Music | Bandcamp | NoiseTrade | Facebook

Jesus Culture: Awakening CD Review

matreames — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:58:56 +0000

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.

The album opens with Awaken Me which really opens the album well with strong driving rhythms and a very upbeat feel to it. Led by Chris Quilala, this is a song that aptly gives you the power and passion of a youth conference, which is what Jesus Culture is. I love the soaring refrain “Come… Like You promised. Come… Fall upon us.” which lingers and then builds and really becomes more of a cry than a lyric.

Awaken me is followed by Father of Lights led out by Kim Walker-Smith. This song relies heavily on Kim’s strong vocals and a leading drum rhythm. The simple chorus of this song has an almost anthemic feel to it that I believe will catch on like last years One Thing Remains. “Love has a voice, and Love has a name… Jesus, Jesus. Your Love is a light filling my eyes… Jesus, Jesus” It just catches you and even if you forget every other line in this song, you will remember this chorus.

As has been the case throughout Jesus Culture’s history, this album has several cover songs. One such cover truly shines as a standout song on the whole album. Break Every Chain is lead out by Kristine DiMarco. It is a cover of The United Pursuit Band, one of two on this album. You might not know United Pursuit by name, but you might recognize them for their song Come Away which was the title track off of Last years Jesus Culture album. Perhaps this is not the right time to plug United Pursuit, but I am doing it anyway. Check them out.

Break Every Chain is a powerful piano epic. It begins with a simply lyrical premise; “There is Power in the name of Jesus, to break every chain, break every chain, break every chain.” Simple lyrics, but a powerful message. Kristine DiMarco really shines on this song. This is the kind of song that just needed exposure to break out and become a worship classic. I have been leading this song since I first heard United Pursuit perform it, and I imagine churches all across the world will begin to use it now that it has been done so wonderfully on Awakening. It is not a complex song, it doesn’t have flashy hooks or complex riffs. It is a simple song with a simple message that just cuts straight to the heart. Even though this is not a new song, this rendition keeps the song strong and stands out on the album as a true high point.

Other songs worth mentioning from the first disc include a Synth driven rendition of Suzy Yarei’s Dance which you may remember was also recorded on the original Jesus Culture album Everything. Also Jesus Culture adds a brilliant rendition of the classic hymn Nothing But The Blood. Bethel worship newcomer Katie Torwalt shines with her song Glorious.

The Second disc of this album begins strong with Bryan Torwalt leading his song He Is Faithful. I love this song because it reminds you who Jesus is. It speaks of the character, nature, and passion of God, but reminds you to worship all of who he is. It’s a very singable song that will build up the congregation and energize as well.

Another United Pursuit cover slips in and once again proves to be a highlight of the album. Fill Me Up is another passionate song. Kim Walker-Smith knocks it out of the park on this one. The premise of this song is very simple and boils down to exactly what the title asks. “Fill me up, God. Fill Me Up, God. Fill Me Up, God. Fill Me Up.” The chorus couldn’t be any simpler than this, but the passionate cry for God to fill us makes a powerful moment, and it is almost as though you can feel him drawing closer as you ask him to come and fill you. This is another song that I think will catch on and really become the Anthem of the Church.

The final song I want to highlight is the final song on the album; The Anthem by Jake Hamilton. This song was included on this album because it really stirs you. It’s a less of man speaking to God and more of God’s response to man. It really fits to close this album. With Two full discs of worship to God, this serves as a response and an encouragement from God to say, “Wake up child; it’s your time to shine. You were born for such a time as this.” Then it shifts in the bridge to a cry from the people of God to come and shake our nation. This is a very guitar driven song that will most likely not appeal to a more traditional worship setting, but has the sound you would expect for a stadium feel. The song closes with the refrain, “I Am royalty. I have destiny. I have been set free. I’m gonna shake History.” In my opinion this is a great way to close out Awakening.

Other songs of note on the second disc include a new version of the song Burning Ones. As well as a cover of We Are Hungry, and the Time Hughes song Holding Nothing Back. You may remember that all three of these songs have been on previous Jesus Culture albums, which is why I didn’t give a full detailed description. But each of them has new life and shows the growth of Jesus Culture as a band if you compare the previous version of each song to the Awakening versions.

I probably don’t have to sell you on this album, because most likely if you are a Jesus Culture fan you will buy it if you haven’t already. But, if you aren’t a fan of them yet, I would definitely recommend this as a great worship album.

Jesus Culture | iTunes | Facebook | twitter

Mat Reames is a worship leader at Eagle Rock Church in Lawrence, Kansas and blogs at www.matreames.com.

Review/Interview: Hymns & Sacred Songs by Leigh Nash

Russ Hutto — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 17:13:03 +0000

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.

How did this special project come about?

 I was asked if I’d be interested in making a hymns record and flipped! I’ve always wanted to do this and am so grateful for the opportunity!

  How did you come to decide which hymns to use? 

John Hartley, who produced the record, did much of the song selecting. He did a beautiful job I might add. I contributed to the writing of several, and I selected those by looking through an old hymnal and finding words I was particularly moved by.

What brought on the decision to write new melodies to these hymns as opposed to using the traditional ones?

 I really love the idea of bringing new life into these beautiful words. They’re timeless, but sometimes melodies can get a bit stale and it’s hard to be as inspired by them. These new melodies are beautiful and I feel they breathe new life into these sacred words.

Which hymn(s)/song(s) mean the most to you in this project, and why?

 I love O Heart Bereaved and Lonely – this song resonates with me the most because it so adeptly describes feeling discouraged and broken. It is a common human emotion and I think this song says so beautifully in words not to be discouraged because Jesus knows all – we are not alone. Such a comforting song. I also really love The Power of the Cross. It’s such a powerful song – I had chills while singing it.

What are your hopes as a result of this project? 

I pray that people are encouraged and lifted by this music.

Melanie’s thoughts on the project:

In familiar Sixpence fashion, Nash brings some bluegrass and folk in Hymns and Sacred Songs to some memorable hymns by Fanny J. Crosby, Charles Wesley, and others. She contributed to the melodic arrangements on four of the songs, from which the arrangements of Out of My Bondage (Jesus, I Come) by William Sleeper (1887) and Come Ye Thankful People Come by Henry Alford (1844) are attributed to just her. The oldest hymn in this project is Praise The Lord Who Reigns Above by Charles Wesley written in 1743. The most unique song is Be Still My Soul written in German by Katharina A. von Schlegel in 1752, and then translated into English by Jane L. Borthwick in 1855.

There are also four cover songs in this project:

Isaiah 55 (Nothing You Can’t Do) by singer/songwriter/worship leader Katie Gustafson.
The Power of the Cross by Keith Getty and Stuart Townsend.
Give Myself to You by worship leader Savannah Ellis.
Song of Moses by Aaron Keyes.

Other hymns included in this project are Savior, Like A Shepherd by Dorothy A. Thrupp (1836), Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing by Robert Robinson (1758), Come Ye Thankful People Come by Henry Alford (1844), and Blessed Redeemer by Fanny Crosby (1820-1915).

Hymns & Sacred Songs is a fusion of timeless and newly crafted hymns. It’s the first of three projects for Nash and Kingsway that will surely bring a new appreciation to classic hymns as well as inspiration for songwriters to write new ones. Every song in this project makes a great addition to any worship music library and Sunday Setlists.

For a detailed song breakdown on Melanie’s blog, click HERE.

More information on Leigh Nash: Facebook | MySpace | Kingsway

Hymns & Sacred Songs releases tomorrow (Tuesday, November 15, 2011) on Kingsway.

REVIEW: John Mark McMillan – ECONOMY (giveaway)

Shannon Lewis — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 15:26:33 +0000

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):

Shannon

I remember the first time I heard John Mark McMillian’s debut indie CD, HOPE ANTHOLOGY vol.1 (you can buy it for a reasonable price HERE). It was later Summer ’02, & I was coming off of a multi-month Wilco-induced musical high brought on by the brilliance of YANKEE FOXTROT HOTEL and John Mark’s artsy indie-folk was just what the doctor ordered. A couple years later I was one of the early-adopters who introduced “How He Loves” as a corporate worship song (thanks in part to the encouragement of Kelanie Gloeckler) years before the “sloppy wet kiss” controversy burned like wildfire through the church, much to my surprise: my only concern was the song’s wordiness, but it moved me to tears every single time I led it – even listened to it – so I didn’t really much concern myself with the debate.

So, to be very honest: I’m a “fan”. I think John Mark has consistently pushed the church in uncomfortable – yet important – new directions, both lyrically (for instance, a whole CD on Resurrection!), and in creative expression. Needless to say, I was both hopeful and skeptical of the new CD. He’s no longer an independent musician – he’s got a label to answer to, and besides: every artist mis-steps at least once in his/her career. Seemed to me, it was about time…

I am happy to say that ECONOMY is everything it should be. As the first CD he’s written/recorded/released signed to worship label, Integrity Music, it’s far more intentionally corporate than anything he’s released to date, yet the production – though more sonically layered and less minimalist – sounds unabashedly independent, much like Daniel Bastha’s latest. I think it is a huge win that Integrity gave them such a great degree of freedom in this area. When I say that I mean that as an artist who has always been label-wary, this eases my heart: you mean you can get signed, & maintain creative license?!?! HALLELUJAH!!!

ECONOMY begins, wisely, in familiar territory: “Sheet of Night” could fit on either THE MEDICINE or SOUNDS OF BREAKING DOWN. It’s a good, solid JMM rocker. “Seen a Darkness” begins to hint at what’s in store: Coldplay-esque piano hooks doubled by “ooh” vocals create an almost orchestra-like backdrop to an already great song. Then they really caught my attention…

“Our Hearts Bleed” is the beginning of John Mark 2.1 & is one of my two personal favorites here: though it’s undeniably his work, the addition of piano brings a whole new color to the palette. The song has a playful, joyful, country-rock flare, which just puts a smile on my face. It displays a playfulness that I’ve not heard on any of his CDs prior. I like it.

“Love You Swore” is the first clearly corporate song on the CD – simple, singable, universal, memorable, and – wonderfully vertical: “Harbor me in the eyes of the storm – I’m holding on to the love you swore.” If yours is a church that doesn’t mind singing “whoah whoah”, this song is a home-run.

Lyrically “Murdered Son” reminds me of a less brutal version of Joe Day’s “What have we Done”, and continues the CDs corporate streak as a beautiful, vertical alt-country ballad.

The title track is everything I’ve always loved about John Mark on his past CDs: dark, edgy, minor keyed – unique tones – and imagery that makes you think. He proclaims, “I believe You can overcome my economy – You can dig me out of the grave!” What is “my economy” – well, it’s made up of the things I’ve earned, & the wages of sin is death, but in God’s economy that is not the end of the story, is it?!

“Who is This” is a lyrically simple corporate rock song with a lot of space for James Dukes electric guitars to glow, and he makes great use of the whole wide array of effects pedals to make magic. This song perfectly demonstrates the beauty of of ECONOMY: it is simultaneously a vertical worship record, and a bold artistic statement. You don’t come across that often.

“Daylight” is tied with “Our Heart Bleeds” as my favorite. The piano is back, this time with hand-claps, dramatic pauses, huge drums, and a neo-Rolling-Stones-like guitar groove that would revolutionize classic rock radio. A monumental song, and one of John Marks absolute best.

“Sins are Stones”, yet another corporate song – this one reminiscent of the old classic Christmas hymn,”O Come Let Us Adore Him”. The melody is quick to catch, and with lyrics that would’ve been right at home on THE MEDICINE – all about our resurrection from the dead, the song climaxes with a lilting “O my soul praise Him.”

Lastly, is the raw, acoustic number “Chemicals” – and when I say raw, I mean that you can honestly “feel” the room it was recorded in. Though it’s not really a corporate worship song, it’s a refreshing close – down tempo, relaxing, & not too serious. It leaves you wanting to go right back up to track number 1 & start the whole thing over again.

I’ve was sent this CD to review & have been living with it for a few days now, but it just now struck me: there is absolutely nothing that I don’t like here. NOTHING. As great a year as this has been for new music – especially worship music – that’s still just unheard of.

If you are non-committed, casual listener, & just want a taste of what’s here, I’d start with “Our Hearts Bleed” & “Daylight”. Worship pastors who want stretched?: grab “Love You Swore”, “Murdered Son”, “Who is This”, & “Sins are Stones”. But fans of just all around good music? – that’s where this one really shines: here’s your prize for the year. ENJOY.

John Mark & Integrity – thanks for giving us this one. I have a feeling it’s going to be a blessing to me for a long while to come.

Review originally published at the official Saint Lewis site.

Eddy

On Economy, John Mark McMillan continues to create vivid lyrical imagery and supports it with moving melodic and rhythmic arrangements. The writing here is once again beautiful and at times even disconcerting. John definitely has a knack for descriptive lyrics and spirit filled melodies.

His vocals can be delicate and light as in the opening song Chemicals where he softly sings …Well, everybody’s drilling for a fountain of youth, but sometimes in these fountains they drown, and at other moments he can deliver a strong and rough performance as in the chunky chorded Daylight with the chorus …We live on the edge of darkness.

Instrumentally the band is comfortable playing in a soft acoustic setting like Chemicals and in the quiet introductions of the anthem like songs Love You Swore and Sins Are Stones, but it can also open it up as it does on Who Is This with its overdriven and delayed guitar.

My favorites were -

1. Love You Swore, a song about needing God more… Lift me up from the ashes of my hearts own shallow grave, cause I know that I need you ,but sometimes I know it more.

2. The U2/Hillsong inspired Seen A Darkness where John sings, …Born into the grave, but born a second time. We’ve been born again into loves hot hands, on someone else’s dime

3. Sins Are Stones another anthem type song which has a peculiar melody (O Come Let Us Adore Him) for its verse and ends in a big way echoing …oh my soul, praise him

4. I also liked Who Is This with its choppy guitar rhythm, simple accessible lyric, and once again its long building anthem like conclusion.

All these songs are possible for use in a corporate worship environment though they all have some edgy images. That being said, I’m confident that with a creative approach these songs, a few more, could find their way into a Sunday Setlist.

 Eddy Mann is the worship leader at Gloria Dei Church in Huntingdon Valley, PA… a versatile songwriter who has released several albums and written for film as well as the church… he has taught music and religion in the Lutheran Educational system for over twenty years.

Pick up ECONOMY tomorrow on iTunes or from TheJohnMark.com

QUESTION: Share your most memorable experience in musical worship. It might be a time you led worship and something amazing happened. It might be a time you were in a worship service with others. It might even be a time that you were all alone with no one else around. What did God speak to you in that experience? How were you changed? Did it inspire you in anyway?

* Giveaway for residents of the U.S. and Canada only. Deadline for entry is Friday, Nov. 4, 2011 by 12 midnight eastern/9 pm pacific time.

REVIEW: Come Alive by Jeremiah Bowser

Shannon Lewis — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 18:11:32 +0000

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.

Come Alive is Jeremiah’s definitive release to date – if you want to know what this guy is about, this is where you need to begin.

Sonically, the Jeremiah Bowser band rests comfortably within the Coldplay-inspired piano-driven alternative rock genre, with lilting melodies, and soaring, delayed guitars. Unlike past CDs, however, Come Alive really has the top-notch production value to make it…well… COME ALIVE. The vocals are crisp and clear and out front, as they should be on a corporate worship release, & the rhythm section is tight and very present, creating a perfect bed on which to build their sound of bright keys & soaring guitars. Artists like the Choir, Violet Burning, and Phil Wickham come to mind as points of comparison – if you gravitate towards any of these, you should really give him a listen.

Thematically, passion & intimacy are where it’s at. I could immediately recognize Jeremiah’s connection to the prophetic worship movement & iHop specifically, as it’s all over the lyrics. The lyrics on Come Alive bleed a passionate, radical love for & dedication to Jesus, & the need for feeling his nearness in all of life.

“I will not be Denied” is by far one of the more memorably tracks – the sort of hook that rings through your head a full day after hearing it, while your laying in bed & trying to get some sleep. It would be a near perfect corporate song for most any contemporary church: a strong, passionate declaration of “I want more of You – nothing else will do!”

“Nothing can compare to You” is another stand-out both for personal listening & church use. More proclamation than declaration, it’s simply a rockin’ love song to a beautiful God. What’s more, as memorable as it is, the song is relatively easy to play, so you wouldn’t have to be afraid of long rehearsal is you were to choose to do this one yourself with a less than professional band… always a plus!

COME ALIVE is a win for Jeremiah Bowser – a release I wholly endorse, & encourage you to give a listen. If nothing else, download the two most notable tracks, & visit his website to grab chord charts – they could be a valuable addition to your Sunday setlists.

Jeremiah Bowser | iTunes

Review: Vineyard UK’s My Soul Yearns

Russ Hutto — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 19:08:29 +0000

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.

Jesse: [ @jessebgordon ]

In My Soul Yearns, Vineyard UK has given the Church a set of simple, scripture-laden songs. Overall, the album is a great new offering, with a nice flow of service that could be helpful for worship leaders and planners to consider. In my mind, the overall feel of the album can be summed up in one word: Adoration! This set of songs absolutely overflows with adoration of God, for His work through Christ on the cross and in his Church today. While all of the songs on the album would be appropriate for corporate worship, I found three to stand out from the rest.

Hear the Sound is a great call to worship. It has a nice driving tempo, simple melody, builds very well, and has some really interesting chord changes. My favorite line in the song is the doxological line at the end, proclaiming, “All the Glory and honor, thanks and praise goes to You!”

Jesus Name is another stand-out track on the album. I love the strait up adoration and proclamation found in this song. The entire song is basically scripture, which I am always drawn to. The refrain of the song is great, singing, “Every knee will bow in heaven and the earth, And every eye will see the measure of Your worth, There is no one like You, risen Son of God, Holy is Your name, Holy is Your name!” I find that this song was particularly easy to sing, would be easy to sing by men and women alike, and the ending is a strong doxology. This song would be great to tag onto another song with the same idea, as you don’t necessarily have to sing it through as many times as they did on the album.

My favorite track on the album is by far Adore Him. This track is absolutely haunting. I love the melody, especially of the chorus, although the structure of the entire song is fantastic. I love the slide guitar, as it adds another vocal-like texture to the arrangement. This song builds particularly well, and emphasizes the text perfectly. I know I keep harping on it, but I again love the doxological nature of the end of the song. This song would work very well as a song of response.

Overall, this is a great collection of new songs, and the slightly more up-tempo version of Sweetly Broken is a nice change of pace. I believe that while any of the songs would be great for corporate worship, the three I’ve mentioned above are the best tracks on the album.

Jesse Gordon loves to lead and sing with my church family. I’ve been in music ministry in non-vocational but consistent roles for about 9 years either as the worship leader or a member of a band. I enjoy the book of Hebrews, guitars, coffee, a good book, and robust dialogue a.k.a. a good debate.

Melanie

Vineyard has a long and rich history of bringing accessible praise and worship music. When I say “accessible,” I mean they write music that most musicians can pick up, learn, and sing/play in their local congregations. Melodies are catchy, vocal range is accessible, melodic intervals are manageable, and the instrumental dynamics allow for other arrangements. My Soul Yearns continues Vineyard’s focus of bringing music for the church by the church. According to their website, this album “is an authentic expression of how God is moving with Holy power through the Vineyard UK & Ireland movement where worship is one of its cornerstones.”

My Soul Yearns is a live album featuring 4 worship leaders, each leading 3 songs at the 2011 Vineyard National Leaders Conference. Carly Billingham, Dave Miller, Samuel Lane and Joe Blustin bring Vineyard UK’s passion for Jesus Christ from UK/Ireland to the US. Every song is suitable for congregational worship in both traditional and contemporary settings. Among my favorites are Love Rain Down, The Lamb Has Conquered and Sweetly Broken.

I love the lyrics in Love Rain Down. It’s gets to the heart of the motivation of our “mission.” We cannot and should not go out until we are filled with the Holy Spirit. We cannot give Christ’s love away until we are filled with his love ourselves. It’s a great way of poetically expressing the greatest commandment overflowing to love for our neighbors. “This is our prayer that your love and your power would come like an ancient day, so your word will be heard and history is made as lives are changed” beautifully expresses the Great Commission. The chorus (“Love rain down, fill us up and send us out to the cities and towns, one by one to see your kingdom come”) then expresses the need to be filled with the Spirit before being “sent out.” It’s a great congregational song, and I highly recommend it for Sunday set lists.

The Lamb Has Conquered is an anthem-like song that celebrates the work of the cross. It starts off kind of soft but it picks up to a strong chorus. There is a section of the song that’s only drums and vocals, making it sound like a march to the drums. In essence, this song expresses the Gospel, including the coming kingdom. I highly recommend this song for Sunday set lists.

Sweetly Broken is a great song of surrender and redemption. “At the cross you beckon me, you draw me gently to my knees, and I am lost for words, so lost in love, I’m sweetly broken, holy surrendered” beautifully expresses the heart of the believer. Since Christ’s love pursues us, we’re brought to the beautiful brokenness as we follow his ways. I highly recommend this for congregational worship.

Every song in My Soul Yearns makes a great addition to a worship team’s library. They have theology, poetry, and beauty.

For a more detailed song-by-song review, please check out my BLOG.

Melanie is a Christ follower, wife to a wonderful man of God, and mother of two incredible boys. She has several years experience mentoring high school worship bands, and desires to continually write music for the Lord’s church.

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

Russ Hutto — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 15:05:11 +0000

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.”

In reading this, I can say that I definitely agree after a solid listen to this record. Most of the tunes really do flit between incredibly desolate soundscapes and full-on power ballads, tossing conventional sounds aside in favor of good, genuine musicality. From a musician’s perspective, they have both captured what it means to creare an absolute wall of sound, and also what it means to play less while achieving more.

Be Still, Oh My Soul drew me in from the first few bars. The great combination of slightly fuzzy vocals, parlour piano and lazy harmonica recalled a time that I was never really alive for, and just as I was settling in, I felt like the title betrayed me. The soung turns into this fantastically rousing cacophony with a message of reassurance. Like many of the songs here, it might take a little doing to get your congregation to join in if they are more traditionally minded. Otherwise, it was difficult for me to stay still (or keep quiet) while listening.

The opening lyrics of Mountaintop read like an awesome exhortation between people. The song speaks of (and with) great anticipation about the God of the mountaintop, and the future He has for us. Sparse verses (albeit with blow-your-head-off drums keeping things in check) mingle with monstrous and soaring choruses that really beg for people to sing along. The word “anthem” is probably one of the more overused words when speaking of praise and worship music, but here it really fits. Crowds pumping fists, banners raised high…it doesn’t take much imagination to see that while listening to this example.

Finally, Holy (Wedding Day) is like a beautiful taunt to the powers of hell, singing lively about that great day that we look forward to. This tune paints a truly magical tapestry, illustrating to us just how awesome God is, and what the long-awaited wedding day will look like.

While there is so much to be said for this kind of talent and creativity, it should suffice to simply know that quality in every regard positively abounds in this album. Is it worth your dollars? More than ten times.

Justin is the director of worship arts at The Well (www.thewellchurch.ca), and blogs about theology, team dynamics, leadership, gear, CD reviews and anything else that might just feel right at the time at harmonylounge.wordpress.com.

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

Review: Radiant Worship’s Boldly Close

Russ Hutto — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 16:25:12 +0000

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.

This album starts right with passion dripping from the first two songs Lift The Veil and You Are The Christ. To be honest it took a while to get past these two, I kept them on repeat for a while. Lift The Veil begins the album with a heart cry that takes the form of a song. It is a cry from desperate Christians who want to see their God. It is a great song that has almost a mystical feel to its intro. Rather than coming in with 16th notes and a 4 on the floor feel, it begins with an arpegiated picking pattern and soft vocals. It explodes into the chorus, and then draws back with the verses that build you up into the rest of the song which gets huge. The song is simple in its lyrics but rich in scripture, theology and passion. This will be a great song that I would recommend for any worship leader.

You Are the Christ is a heavier song, but it is a declarative song. It is declaring the Jesus is THE CHRIST and he is the SON of the Living God. This is a song of confession song that really builds you up by reminding you He is. This is a great opener for a Sunday morning service, because its bold, but it is rich in truth.

The Real Fire is a little break in the album where Radiant frontman and ministry Leader Richy Clark begins to ask Jesus for the Fire, not just a feel good fire, but the real fire that burns sin and the flesh. It’s a powerful part of the CD, and even though it’s not a song I thought it was so powerful I wanted to share about it in the review. We as Christians need to be willing to pray like this, but after we pray we need to be willing to burn even though it’s hot and it hurts.

Track 8 is the familiar You Are Holy (Isaiah 6) despite having recorded this on a previous release they chose to add it here, and there are minor tweaks to the songs instrumentation but nothing significant because this powerful song doesn’t need to be fixed or changed. I have been listening to this song since about 2007 and it still brings me to my knees on a weekly basis. I play it on Sunday mornings and it draws the congregation in like nothing else I play. Why? It’s the simplicity of the song. Its Isaiah 6, we see him, and we acknowledge his holiness, and then we acknowledge our utter lack of holiness which requires God to burn us with the coals and cleans us. This is a song YOU NEED TO BE USING! If you aren’t you need to, its just too powerful to pass up.

The Album clocks in at an Hour and 5 minutes, and the last 12 are simply spontaneous worship. They titled this flow of the spirit The Worthy Selah and it is a fitting title, because the main theme of the flow is simply laying to worth and honor onto the Lord. It isn’t the thing you are likely to reproduce, but if I could learn to play some of this I would, but it was a moment. The beauty of a moment is that it happens and then it moves on to make way for the next moment. This flow was a reflection of What God was doing in the room at the time, and even if listening to the recording you can feel the presence of God all over it.

You want this album. Even though you do not know who Radiant is, you want this, because this is different worship than the same predictable worship you are used to. Its raw, and passionate, its pure pursuit of the King and is on my list of the best worship albums of 2011.

Mat is a regular contributor and reviewer for The Worship Community and blogs at www.matreames.tk.

Melanie

Radiant Worship’s Boldly Close maintains their desire to “encounter the Presence of God through passionate, modern worship music.” (The quote is from their website, RandiantWorship.com) Radiant Worship is a team of musicians with International House of Prayer in Kansas City, MO. They also have teams of intercessors and messengers who bring the presence of God to their gatherings. To do this, they must encounter God themselves. Boldly Close is an example of their encounters with God as they lead others to encounter the same God that comes close to them.

Among my favorite songs are Lift the Veil and We Lift Our Voice. I love how the lead worshipers in Lift the Veil use the elements of the temple to express how we should approach God. The temple veil was torn in two so all can come and behold his glory. When we see his glory, we also see our sinful nature and desire to rid ourselves of the sin in our lives to receive the glory he has prepared for us.

We Lift Our Voice is a great worship song. It expresses the heart of people willing to meet with God, and they come into his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise. This would make a great song to add to a Sunday Set List. I would request to move away from the U2 sound, though. Seems too many bands want that sound, and the Church needs more original sounds. So, be creative in how you express your adoration for the Lord through music.

The Real Fire and The Worthy Selah are what I would call prophetic “soaking” songs. What that means is the lead worshiper sings or speaks what God is speaking while the music plays in the background. These songs are not intended for a sing-a-long. The hearers just need to simply sit back, pray and listen for the Lord’s voice. These are very powerful moments in a corporate setting. The Holy Spirit often moves in powerful ways because hearts are wide open to receive what the Holy Spirit is speaking through the lead worshiper.

You are the Christ, Unto You, The Highest and Jesus, I Surrender are great songs of humility and submission. Each song recognizes Christ for who he is, offers adoration to his glory, and submits to his leading. Boldly Close, You are Holy and The Good Part are songs about being near the presence of God. Because the temple veil was torn, we can boldly come to God’s throne, declare his holiness, and rest in his presence.

Boldly Close has more slow-to-moderate prayer songs than up-beat celebratory songs. Since the album’s intent is to bring the hearer to the throne of God, it’s natural to allow people to be still and soak in what the Lord has to say to the Church. This is a great worship album, and I recommend this for your Sunday Set Lists. For a more detailed review broken down by song, please read my BLOG.

Justin

Boldly Close proved, like few albums do, that praise and worship musicians can and should refuse to fit in with everybody else. The songs present here listen more like a gigantic continuous prayer, rather than singular experiences strung together by applause and slick transitions Upon discovering the band’s roots, this wasn’t entirely surprising. Radiant Worship comes to us from Kansas City as a part of the phenominal International House of Prayer.

Normal protocol dictates that I give you a selection of favorite songs and tell you how these songs work well in a congregational setting. I will still drop a few favorites, but before I do, you need to know something.

There is no replacement for this kind of music. There is a definite synergy going on. Yes, the singing is great. Yes, the hooks are appreciable and very present (important in a congregational setting). Yes, the instrumentation is juicy and talented. Yes, the composition is effective. But this album never really draws attention to itself in those ways. I enjoyed it because it was so obviously heartfelt, intimate and real. The band is very clearly interested in one thing, and one thing only; they intend to encounter the living God and drag everyone they can find with them. And really, what value does our music have if it doesn’t aid in the accomplishing of that goal?

Here are two tunes that stood out to me, not for any other reason than they just sounded phenomenal while the rest were merely awesome. Firstly, You Are the Christ pulls no punches. The opening guitar licks show you exactly where the song intends to go. This is a fantastic congregational confession/declaration that is bound to gain traction with lots of people. Nothing but the Gospel truth to be found here.

The second tune goes by the name of We Will Not Be Moved. Think Norm Strauss’ Not Be Shaken, only this time around there is some serious meat in the rhythm section and a decidedly gutsier melody. Admittedly, part of why I liked it so much was that there was some familiarity, even having never heard it before. It falls into an easy, predictable groove that I think will blend well into most sets.

I know that most of you were probably not looking for a commentary on the state of praise and worship music, but this album really does say a lot as it goes about its business. Where this album shines for me is in its “meta-message”, or what it communicates as a whole, mission statements aside. This collection of songs has such a purity of motive that is just exuded while listening to it; these folks are really passionate about seeking the face of God. They don’t need to be loud and crazy to get that message across (although they are more than a few times), and they very obviously don’t “do worship” in the ways that many of us are caught up in.

The takeaway here is this: don’t listen to this album hoping to bring some songs to your nearest stage. That will pretty much happen automatically anyways. Listen to it because you want to worship God. The artists want that, God wants that, and ultimately YOU want that.

This album delivers.

Radiant Worship: www.radiantworship.com | iTunes | bandcamp