Review: Beautiful Things by Gungor

[twc_admin]

The Live Experience

Every once in a while a person gets to experience what will soon be known as a pivotal moment in the history of music and art. I believe that I have experienced this. It might never happen again in my lifetime, but as I sat mesmerized by the haunti... (continue reading full article ...)

[twc_admin]

Russ,
Thanks for the awesome review. I was blessed to experience this performance with you. I sat at a table of "dudes" ... and we all wept. I've said many times that it was perhaps one of the (if not THE MOST) inspiring moments of my life.

[russhutto]

Indeed. This is probably my top music experience in my life so far. Hopefully this will be the first in many more (especially from folks here at TWC!)

[djg4G]

Great review Russ - helps me feel even more jealous of those who were there

Really hope he brings this experience to the UK, though I'm guessing that's not overly likely. I'll just have to keep living it vicariously through friends, and remembering his & Lisa's amazing previews of what was to come at Hillsong 2008 (they'd started conceiving some of this album by then, but I don't think they could have imagined it would be as amazing as it is)

[SaintLewis]

I do wish I'd caught this with ya'll. Listening to the c.d., I do like it, but it does remind me instrumentally a bit of Future of Forestry's "TRAVEL" e.p.'s and vocally, and as regards song structures, to Echolyn's "MEI". I have to say that I am at the same time both disappointment, and encouraged: I don't yet hear much I could imagine using corporately, but I love the over-all production style (it sounds a lot like what I am aspiring to). Anyway, I'm looking forward to listening to it more, maybe during an upcoming road-trip!

[russhutto]

Therein lies the quandary. Any song in and of itself would be tough to insert into a corporate gathering, but as a whole, the live experience surpassed ANY live worship performance I've ever been a part of.

That's why I think we're all so blown away by it. It's not that it's the next greatest "normal" corporate worship collection. As much as it's a defining moment in musical worship expressions. Not even sure how to describe it.

What I loved about it was the non-normal nature of it (in comparison to what the majority of us do in worship music environments). There were no lyrics on screens, no hymnals, no "cheesy" mini sermons by the WL. It was just us, Gungor, and God. And the songs DO lend themselves to corporate singing. There was a room of about 150 people joining in (and joining in quickly) without onscreen lyrics.

The structure (simplicity and repetitive nature?) of the songs draws you in and draws you in fast. You can't help but worship along.

Like I said, it's hard to describe. I think the majority of us that are "seeing" (not just hearing) this recording differently are the ones who have the live experience to enhance/supplement our perspectives. If you can make it to a live show, do so! You won't be disappointed.

However, if you're looking at this from a "cd" standpoint and even on a how can this individual song be carried over into a "normal" worship service...I can see how you would be disappointed.

[twc_admin]

Russ,
I think you summarized my thoughts perfectly. What is so refreshing was the sound of the music, the artistry of the lyrics .. .but beyond that ... the multi-sensory approach of the whole thing being done "live". As Gary (our bass player) said when I described it to him, "it was a presentation".

Nevertheless, I'm sure that if you got a chance to hear Gungor, even with their smaller 5-piece tour, it would be amazing.

[JonnyMac]

I found myself saying the same thing as the above comments. GREAT musically but a bit discouraged as a Worship album. I think the title track "Beautiful Things" could be woven in corporately somewhere, but not much else.

That said, when sampling this album on I-tunes nothing stuck out. Yet I purchased anyways and was beyond glad I did. This album is like a great story and you need to listen to it from beginning to end. There is such a good flow and so many different styles that come into effect. If taken out of context you can easily miss it!

Well worth the money, a great album to just sit back and study and listen to God...