review

Review: The Mystery of Faith by Glenn Packiam + You Ask Glenn

March 5, 2013 by Editor Leave a Comment

Glenn Packiam has released The Mystery of Faith from Integrity Music today.

With The Mystery of Faith EP, Packiam shares six new songs woven together with the Nicene Creed and a spoken-word prayer to express the shared foundational beliefs of Christianity while “telling the story of our faith.” The songs were penned by Packiam with guest co-writers Desperation Band’s Jon Egan (Magnified/I Am Free), Dove Award winning “Songwriter of the Year” Jennie Lee Riddle (Revelation Song/One True God), Dove Award winning producer/songwriter Ian Eskelin (Crazy Love/Beautiful, Beautiful) and best-selling author Ian Cron (Chasing Francis).

Ask Glenn questions about his new project & ebook…

We’ll be sending 10 or so questions to Glenn for him to answer. He was so gracious last time and answered our questions via video. If you could sit down with Glenn and listen to his heart and allow him to coach you in songwriting and leading worship, what ONE question would you ask? Please limit yourself to just ONE (1) question! Ask your question in the COMMENTS BELOW. We’ll follow up this post with another post with his responses!

Review: Zion by Hillsong United

February 26, 2013 by Editor 2 Comments

After a two-year wait for the next original UNITED project, the band has announced the February 26, 2013 release of Zion, which will be the 12th full-length album and third studio recording from the band. This new studio album follows the highly impactful 2011 release Aftermath, which topped the charts internationally and was their highest selling album to date.

On first listen, one might be taken back by the almost retro, throwback sound of the first song Relentless – it sounds like a 1908s pop song. The whole project is noticeably different than past projects but still retains that familiar energy that we’ve grown to love and expect from UNITED. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Featured Story, Music Reviews, Reviews Tagged With: hillsong united, review, zion

Review: Elevation Worship – Nothing is Wasted

February 21, 2013 by Editor Leave a Comment

Elevation Worship just released their album “Nothing is Wasted.” This is a two disc set and shows a different concept than previous work. The first disc is a live edition recorded right there in the sanctuary with the congregation worshiping, and singing along. The second disc is a studio album, with the exact same songs, but recorded in the studio with more of the production and radio feel.

This has long been a debate in music, which is better, live music or studio recordings. Each have their merits and this album lets you decide for yourself which is the better concept. For the purposes of the review I will focus on the live album, and highlight some of the standouts from the album. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Featured Story, Music Reviews, Reviews Tagged With: elevation worship, mat reames, nothing is wasted, review

Review: New Has Come by Bridge Music

February 19, 2013 by Editor Leave a Comment

Jon & Shea Althoff offer this new EP from Bridge Music (released 1.29.13).

From their website:

“Connecting the truth of God’s Word to the hearts of His people through song. We believe songs can act like a bridge to accomplish that. There is something very special about the people of God gathered to sing back to God their response of gratefulness to His grace and love. Our desire is to write songs that are filled with the truth of scripture. Colossians 3:16 tells us to “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” It is our desire that these songs would help that to happen.” [Read more...]

Filed Under: Featured Story, Music Reviews, Reviews Tagged With: bridge music, jon althoff, new has come, review, shea althoff

Review: One Redemption by Tree Hill Collective

April 4, 2012 by Editor 6 Comments

Thanks to Tom Kline for sharing this review with TWC and a big kudos to TWC member Mark Snyder for his great work on this project.

www.treehillcollective.com / itunes / twitter / facebook

Tree Hill Collective exists to resource the Church with God-honoring resources in innovative ways with excellence. Producing scripturally strong, congregationally friendly songs that are easy for the average church band to play well; presented in a high quality, professional production is the aim of every Tree Hill Collective song. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Featured Story, Music Reviews, Reviews Tagged With: music, one redemption, review, tree hill collective

Review: iSingWorship – The Backing Track for the 21st Century

February 17, 2012 by Editor 10 Comments

Thanks to Mark Snyder for sharing this tech review with The Worship Community.

I recently had the opportunity to take a look at some cool new technology on the IPod/IPad. I am not a ‘worship techie’ as much as some people, but I do like to look at technologies to arm the small church and small group gatherings, because this is where I do most of my worship leading time and where I like to target our worship resources.

Backing tracks and technologies to play them are great. Loop programs such as Ableton, GarageBand, or even just a keyboard are great to allow the band to ‘virtually’ come alongside a vocalist or single guitarist for a fuller sound. The biggest issue with loops is allowing spontaneity – how can you repeat a part, loop a part, or even just jump to a quiet instrumental then back into a chorus? Well-trained live bands can do this and they know how to do the transition, but a looping program is lacking for this. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Featured Story, Media & Tech, Presentation Tech, Resource Reviews, Reviews Tagged With: isingworship, review, tech

REVIEW: Reuben Bidez – the Signs of God

January 26, 2012 by Shannon Lewis 8 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Featured Story, Music Reviews, Reviews, Songwriting, Worship Arts, Worship Theology Tagged With: Jesus in the Qur'an, Messianic Muslim, New Music, Reuben Bidez, review, the signs of god, worship

Review: The Loft Sessions by Bethel Music

January 24, 2012 by Editor 8 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Featured Story, Music Reviews, Reviews Tagged With: bethel music, review, the loft sessions

Jesus Culture: Awakening CD Review

December 1, 2011 by matreames 23 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Featured Story, Music Reviews, Reviews Tagged With: awakening, Jesus Culture, mat reames, review

Review/Interview: Hymns & Sacred Songs by Leigh Nash

November 14, 2011 by Editor 12 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Featured Story, Music Reviews, Reviews Tagged With: hymns and sacred songs, interview, kingsway, leigh nash, review