A Stirring Celebration | Posted August-11-2014
I'm eternally grateful to the music of Jars of Clay for helping bring me to Christ. From the opening notes of "Flood" and then my continual listening of "Liquid," "Worlds Apart" and "Love Song for a Savior" from their self-titled debut, they quickly became my favorite band. A few years later, I became immersed in Christian music and gave my life to Christ in 1999 thanks to Christian music leading me to the truth of the Gospel: I'll never be good enough to earn eternal life. Jesus paid that price on my behalf and died for my sins and wants me to call on Him to be my Savior and "take my world apart."
With the fresh new acoustic and string-backed recordings of "Fade to Grey" and "Worlds Apart" that opens this fan selected twenty song collection celebrating twenty years of Jars of Clay making music, it's clear that the theme of the old Irish proverb "It is in the shelter of each other that the people live" runs throughout this excellent album.
If you've always loved this band like me, this album will have you hooked right from the opening notes of this gorgeous new recording of "Worlds Apart." As Christians, we can all relate to the vulnerable and sincere crying out in the bridge "Did You really have to die for me / All I am for all You are because what I need / And what I believe are worlds apart / And I pray, Take my world apart."
"Boys" is a powerful and moving song. At a concert, Dan Haseltine shared, "Four of us have kids, and our boys are always asking questions about things that matter. Sadly, we're a generation that cares deeply about things that don't matter. So we wrote this song to our boys." Dan achingly sings "I've been where you're going and it's not that far. You'll get there in time."
"Dead Man" sings "I'm just a dead man lying on the carpet / can't find a heartbeat / I want to be a new man / tired of the old plan." The message is a great one for Christians, that we are all new in Christ.
"Oh My God" is one of my favorite songs from Good Monsters and really brings me to my knees in prayer of adoration to my Savior. The song really connects with me, as sometimes I feel lost and confused regarding what God's will is in my life and when I look at the world, I know our suffering is temporal and we need to live for heaven and cry out to God, and He'll hear us.
"Safe to Land," which the band calls "our fighting song," is a poignant relationship song that sings "I guess forgiveness hasn't happened yet, is it safe to land? The long fall back to earth is the hardest part." It is truly an honest and transparent love song, and having been married 20 years, the song really speaks to me personally and reminds me of the commandment from Colossians 3:13 (NIV): "Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."
Another standout song is "Love in Hard Times," where Dan affectionately sings "sometimes I just want to feel your hand in mine, still love in the hard times." The musical bed on these recordings is very layered and ambient, which allows listeners to really focus on these poignant and relevant words.
I get choked up when I pray along with "Love Song," my all-time favorite song by Jars of Clay, especially when Dan sings "Someday we'll trust Him and learn how to see Him. I want to fall in love with You." I credit that song and "Worlds Apart" for leading me to seek a personal relationship with Jesus. I am eternally grateful to their music ministry for speaking Truth into my life and drawing me to my Savior. I can't think of a better way to cap off this incredible album.
Closing Thoughts:
For the past twenty years, Jars of Clay have consistently released great quality songs and never forsake message as they craft amazing melodies. Every song is powerful and moving, a fitting tribute to their stellar and influential career. There is something for everyone on this brilliant and stirring collection of songs. They will move you emotionally with their songs "Worlds Apart," "Silence," "No One Loves Me Like You," "Jealous Kind" and "Love Song." They will move you physically with their great anthems "Collide," "God Will Lift Up Your Head," "Trouble Is" and "Dead Man." Something I love most about Jars of Clay is how they'll make you think about your relationships with people, especially with "If You Love Her," "Safe to Land," "Boys," "Inland" and "Love in Hard Times." After all, Jesus commands us to "love one another." This album challenges me to love God and people well.
Inspirational Album of the Year | Posted August-11-2014
Lindsay McCaul has pure and strong vocals that remind me of Brooke Fraser and Audrey Assad, my favorite female vocalists of all time. Her Reunion Records debut If it Leads Me Back was one of the most captivating albums I've ever heard, and one of my Top 10 Albums of 2012. After an almost three year wait, Lindsay has changed labels and returns with her Centricity Music release One More Step, with eleven vibrant and insightful songs available everywhere August 19.
The opening track and lead single "Empty Handed" is an engaging song with Lindsay's passionate vocals setting the tone for this exceptional effort. The album tells the story of redemption as each song gives a glimpse of how Lindsay offers her Psalm-like prayers to God. The bridge includes the biblical and confessional lyrics "You're worth everything / I won't count the cost / All I thought was gain / Count it all as loss." The reflective opener has a super-catchy musical vibe and is a wonderful prayer capturing Lindsay's heart for God.
"A Little" has a contemporary pop music feel. Lindsay trusts in the Lord throughout the song, offering herself as a living sacrifice as she prays "I'm so small, I'm so weak, I'm here, so use me…There's a lot You can do with a little." "Jesus Be" establishes a prayerful flow with its lyrics.
My new favorite Lindsay McCaul song is "One More Step." The poignant and autobiographical story song is highlighted by introspective lyrics and of course Lindsay's great singing. She is an artist in every sense of the word. The captivating new song moves me emotionally and connects me spiritually to the truth behind the song about her father who passed away: "It's one more step, blink your eyes, you'll be home on the other side / running down the golden streets, you'll hear a million angels sing / so one more kiss on earth is all that's left, before the breath of Heaven fills your chest / and you finally see His face and find your rest, One more step."
Lindsay's vocals and heartfelt sincerity in songs like "With the Brokenhearted" cause me to hang on every word she sings. She is joined by Brandon Heath on this cut. Both singers trust in the Lord throughout the emotional ballad with the stirring words "I know God is always with the brokenhearted."
I can't get enough of the upbeat ukulele-led song of commitment to Christ "Mess Like Me." It is another standout song thanking Jesus for giving us what we don't deserve and for paving the way for righteousness. I sing along at the top of my lungs with the piercing words: "Your hands are holding me when I'm falling apart / Your peace keeps calming all the crazy in my heart / Breaking down or busted up / You always help me see that Your love won't leave even a mess like me."
In "Love Won't Give Up," you'll physically feel the emotion so poignantly expressed by Lindsay as she passionately cries out "Lift up your eyes and see…That Love won't give up on you." I cherish how this album tells the story of trusting in the Lord as each song displays how Lindsay expresses her prayers to God, allowing listeners to eavesdrop on her vertical offerings.
Closing Thoughts:
Lindsay McCaul writes and sings captivating and catchy songs filled with inspirational lyrics. This is a great new collection of heartfelt and inspirational songs about the journey of life we are all on as pilgrims, keeping our eyes on the prize of eternal life in Jesus Christ. Musically, the album features a great mix of confessional ballads and singer-songwriter pop music. The stirring vocals, prayerful lyrics and musical arrangements are breath-taking. This is a Spirit-filled and emotional listening experience.
"Empty Handed," "A Little," "Jesus Be," "One More Step," "With the Brokenhearted," "The In Between," "Mess Like Me" and "Love Won't Give Up" are all stand-out tracks filled with overwhelming biblical truth. Every song is a great reminder for followers of Jesus wrestling with doubts and trying to live out their faith. If you are looking for the inspirational album of the year in the style of Blessings by Laura Story, then look no further than One More Step.
Emotionally moving | Posted August-06-2014 Death, Be Not Proud by Audrey Assad is the follow-up worship EP to last year’s stellar independent full-length worship album Fortunate Fall. This album is centered on the truth found in a line from the poet John Donne for inspiration: "Death, be not proud, though some have called thee mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so." Audrey says of the album: "Being pregnant, experiencing new life, and beholding several friends go through gut wrenching losses of infants both in the womb and outside the womb, I felt connected to these themes in an entirely deeper and newer way."
The poetic opener “Death, Be Not Proud” is sung tenderly by Audrey, “So death, if your sleep be the gates to Heaven, Why your confidence? When you will be no more, you will be no more, when you will be no more. Even death will die.” There is incredible comfort and biblical Truth in this song and Audrey’s passionate vocals will have you hanging on every word.
I love the song “Death in his Grave” as it was originally recorded by John Mark McMillan and this version is truly excellent. I have been consistently drawn to John Mark’s sincerity and profound songwriting. As believers, we know that Jesus Christ laid death in his grave. The very poetic lyrics in this song are a beautiful picture of what Jesus did for us; He came to Earth and became fully human and yet remained fully God. By dying for our sins as the perfect Man, He became the only worthy sacrifice and spotless Lamb who laid down His life so that we could be saved. The song allows worshipers to thank Jesus for His sacrifice and for conquering the grave. The lyrics are based on 1 Corinthians 15:21 (NKJV): “For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead.”
“Lamb of God” is a sincere and catchy love song sung to Jesus proclaiming Him as the Lord of our lives—“Holiest treasure Lord, You are. Fairest pleasure of our hearts / You will ever be our great desire.” Like her previous Psalm 23 inspired offerings, “Lead Me On” and “I Shall Not Want,” this song praises Jesus for laying down His life to defeat death as our Shepherd. Audrey beautifully captures the essence of John 1:29 (NKJV): “Behold the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world.”
“Receive” is a vertical profession of faith that churches of any denomination can sing in their services. You’ll join along with Audrey and proclaim, “It is God who we encounter / It is God that we receive / From this altar / From this altar / From this altar we do believe.”
I can’t get enough of “Love is Moving.” Audrey’s passionate vocals will have you hanging on every word. The song stops me in my tracks as Audrey slays me with her confessional and prayerful vocal style, especially in the bridge which moves me every time I sing it,—"So we reach, we reach our hands to Him / Just to touch, to touch the Healer's hand / We fall, we fall in worship / Our God is with us." There is great comfort in knowing Jesus and being known by Him in every detail of our lives. The fact that through the Holy Spirit, we can encounter Jesus is profound. Many of my favorite worship songs are about stripping everything else away, and praying out loud for the presence of God, His Son Jesus and The Holy Spirit, and having a moving and meaningful encounter with Jesus. This song does that for me.
Closing Thoughts:
These great new worship songs really sets me in the proper mindset to praise God for loving me so much that He gave His life away for all that was lost. As with Audrey’s previous offerings, every song on this album is worshipful and catchy. The idea of an entire album filled with songs about finding the promise of new life in Jesus in the face of death is challenging and inspiring. What’s especially cool about this new album is how every song is true to that biblical concept with strong messages.
Audrey puts her full passion behind everything she sings. I really enjoy the reflective musical vibe of this album and the melodies and lyrics are all catchy, emotionally moving and prayerful. Death, Be Not Proud is loaded with poetic and introspective lyrics reflecting unashamed faith in Jesus. Don't miss out on this incredible worship album, one of the best of the year for sure.
Passionate Worship | Posted July-28-2014
Passion's songs are some of the most popular in modern worship music, with many of their songs sung by millions in churches all across the country including recent staples "Whom Shall I Fear," "10,000 Reasons," "Lord, I Need You" and "One Thing Remains." The live releases drawn from each year's conferences have been highly anticipated since the first edition in 1998. The last few years have been the most successful with each release taking it up a notch with 2011's Here for You, 2012's White Flag and 2013's Let the Future Begin. 2014's Passion: Take It All marks the latest edition and features the most balanced lineup, with new standout songs by Chris Tomlin, Kristian Stanfill, Crowder, Matt Redman and Christy Nockels.
The opening track "Don't Ever Stop" featuring Chris Tomlin has an upbeat electronic dance music flow, similar to hit song "God's Great Dance Floor." I'm really engaged by Tomlin's emotional vocals and the deep, prayerful lyrics throughout the album. "Whatever is true, whatever is right… Lead me in the way everlasting" are Tomlin's cries of praise set to an up-tempo melody.
The beautiful vertical ballad "At the Cross (Love Ran Red)" is in a more classic corporate worship fashion. It is a moving offering of praise to Jesus: "At the cross, at the cross, I surrender my life/ I'm in awe of You, where Your love ran red / And my sin washed white / I owe all to You, I owe all to Jesus."
"Let it Be Jesus" is a gorgeous offering by Christy Nockels to Jesus, proclaiming "For me to live is Christ, God I bring Your name above everything, let it be Jesus." Like her great songs "Healing in Your Hands" and "Waiting Here for You," you'll worship our King Jesus right along with Christy.
She also sings on "You Came to My Rescue," which is a great upbeat electronic dance tempo prayer song with Christy belting out "I was dead but now I breathe / Awaken to Your grace so free / In the power of Your cross / Now I live." What a great way to profess and thank the Lord directly by telling Him "You came to my rescue." You can sincerely pray these words along with Christy, and along with the up-tempo song proclaim "You've overwhelmed me with Your love / You set my feet to dancin' now."
"Never Gonna Let Me Go," "My Heart is Yours" and "This Grace" are led by Kristian Stanfill and each feature an engaging Brit-rock musical style. "My Heart is Yours" includes the sincere and emotive album title in the refrain "My heart is Yours / Take it all / My life in Your hands." "This Grace" is an emotive and poetic description of a beautiful picture of what Jesus did for us.
I can't get enough of Crowder's stand-out song "I Am." His emotive and distinct vocals take listeners on an emotional journey. The bridge is very stirring: "There's no space that His love can't reach / There's no place that we can't find peace / There's no end to Amazing Grace."
"Mercy" by Matt Redman is my favorite new worship anthem of the year, which I hope I'll be singing with fellow believers. The song is also on Redman's album Your Grace Found Me, and has a great worshipful chorus with Redman singing "Mercy, mercy, as endless as the sea. I'll sing Your hallelujah for all eternity." Then, amidst Coldplay-esque swelling guitars, Matt belts out an infectious bridge: "May I never lose the wonder, Oh, the wonder of Your mercy / May I sing Your hallelujah."
Closing Thoughts:
This is yet another solid entry in this great series. These passionate worship songs are sung with vocal sincerity and reverence with biblically based lyrics. There are several instantly sing-able and worshipful arrangements that you'll want to add to your Sunday morning setlist. I especially recommend "At the Cross (Love Ran Red)," "My Heart is Yours," "This Grace" and one of my top worship songs of the year, "Mercy." All of the songs are catchy, exciting and worshipful. Passion: Take it All is a must-have for your praise and worship collection.
Powerful and Passionate | Posted July-14-2014
Moriah Peters is back with her highly anticipated sophomore release Brave on July 15. Her debut album made quite a splash with the standout songs "Well Done," "I Choose Jesus" and "Bloom." Peters has an incredible heart for her ministry, is a wonderful role model for girls of all ages and has a powerhouse singing voice. Last July she married Joel Smallbone (for KING & COUNTRY), who co-produced this new album with Seth Moseley.
At her young age of 21, she has delivered an album loaded with spiritual maturity. Every song connects emotionally to the Truth that God can make us brave in the face of adversity. As stated in the title track, "Impossible is possible with You."
She opens with the ultra-catchy dance-tempo title track "Brave," which perfectly sets the tone for this excellent album. The title track opens with the lyrics "No one ever told me this would be easy but I never knew it could be this hard / Oh the worry the worry the worry is weighing on me / Could You help me break down all these question marks and make me brave?" Another version of this inspiring song also ends the album, with a guest vocal by Andy Mineo.
"Oh Fear" is next and has a sincere autobiographical style where Moriah personifies fear and declares to the enemy that "I see Jesus coming, you'll never keep me here, I know my God is near."
"To Leave it All Behind" is a wonderful song of encouragement to be unafraid and unashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. God will never fail us or forsake us until the work of the Lord is finished. Moriah belts out the awesome chorus "I'm not afraid, I'm not ashamed / I won't wait, to leave it all behind… / it's worth the sacrifice to leave it all behind." She co-wrote the song with her husband Joel, and his distinctive vocals can be heard as they sing "If I should fall, You'll catch me."
"You Carry Me" has a message that is biblical and uplifting: "Every moment of my life, God, You never left my side, every valley, every storm You were there." Her dependence on God is beautifully phrased with this standout song featuring a gorgeous string and piano arrangement and Moriah excitedly singing the clever lyrics "But then I look back on every season / and I can find that there are 10,000 reasons / to trust that You can work all things for good."
Moriah's encouragement to be brave continues with the powerful "Stand Strong." She follows it up with the gorgeous "I'll Wait for You," in the style of "We Haven't Even Kissed." A song that really grabs your attention is "Don't Want to Live for Me." Moriah boldly pledges her allegiance to live for God: "here and now, I surrender all my life / I take this vow and abandon me tonight / no more going down and up and down so selfishly / no more going up and down and up / You take the lead, I don't want to live for me."
One of my favorite songs on the album is "Born to be Free." As my 3 daughters grow up, this is a message I want them to hear from me and their Heavenly Father: "Bring every imperfection, Bring every hurt you hide / Look up let go leave it behind / Healing is here now, there's no need to fight." Just like "Bloom," I can hear Moriah's connection to the lyrics as she sings this emotionally charged song. Her gorgeous and upbeat rendition of "Give Me Jesus" has a similar feeling. The song is a perfect mission statement representing Moriah's music ministry: "You can have all this world, give me Jesus." Amen to that.
Closing Thoughts:
Moriah Peters has the gift of encouragement, and every single song lifts me up. She has an infectious and upbeat musical style, layering her strong and distinguished vocals over the top of one hooky melody after another. Moriah has really emerged as one of the top female vocalists in Christian music, and she is a great role model for girls. She has delivered the ideal album to minister to anyone struggling with fear and self-doubt.
Every song is a great showcase of Moriah's excellent singing voice, and you can practically hear her smile as she delivers one infectious song after another. The layered and well produced musical arrangements on this album perfectly accentuate Moriah's powerful and passionate songs. Don't miss out on one of the most inspirational albums of the year. You won't be able to help but dance and sing along with the stand-out songs "Brave," "Oh Fear," "You Carry Me," "Stand Strong," "Don't Want to Live for Me," "Born to be Free" and "Give Me Jesus." If you liked I Choose Jesus, you'll love Brave.
A Soul-Stirring Debut | Posted July-14-2014
This self-titled debut project by Word Records newcomer About A Mile has captivated my spirit. The album includes standout recordings like the sing at the top of your lungs anthems "Satisfied" and "Right Now" and the reflective and worshipful vibe of "Power of the Cross," "Who You Say You Are" and "Trembling." From my first listen, I wanted to tell others about this great new band from Butler, Pennsylvania who immediately reminded me of some of my favorite bands like The Fray, Lifehouse and Tenth Avenue North. They named their band based on the idea that "Jesus carried His cross about a mile" according to lead singer Adam Klutinoty, who fronts the band along with his brothers Levi and Luke.
The project (produced by Ian Eskelin) opens with "Satisfied," which has a "Hanging by a Moment" style worshipful flow and is such an exciting song that stirs my soul to cry out loudly "Let Your song be the song I sing / Through the blessings and burdens this life will bring / In You alone I'm satisfied." I'm really engaged by Adam's emotional vocals and the sincere, enthusiastic and biblical lyrics throughout the album.
"Power of the Cross" is layered with a reflective alt-rock musical style reminiscent of Rhett Walker Band and Tenth Avenue North. The song will have you singing along in one listen.
From the beginning notes of "Who You Say You Are," I was hooked by the reflective musical vibe and prayerful message. Like recent Newboys' hit "We Believe," the song declares a bold faith statement: "I know You are Who You say You are, I know You are God alone / I'll stand on every promise You have made to me / ‘cause I believe You are Who You say You are."
Catchy Brit-rock style guitar riffs are found throughout this substantive album, especially in the rock-tinged "In With the Out Crowd," "I Hate Hate" and "Soldier On." "Oxygen" has more vertical lyrics: "It feels like drowning, life without You is like trying to breathe under water / I'm suffocating, so take me higher, I'm down on my knees and I'm trying to breathe under water / I need You, ‘cause You are Oxygen."
I can't get enough of the stand-out song "Right Now." Adam's emotive vocals and the exciting rock musical bed takes me on an emotional journey that causes me to excitedly worship along with the stirring lyrics every time I hear the song.
All of these songs are poignant and powerful with earnest worshipful lyrics. "S.O.S. (Hope Won't Let Go)" has a beautiful call out to God with Adam displaying The Fray's Isaac Slade's style of emotive vocals. "Reason for Breathing" is another vertical expression of adoration and includes another catchy guitar riff.
The album closes with a prayerful, exciting adaptation of the hymn of the faith "Were You There" called "Trembling." The song has a vertical focus towards God and humbly submits, "Just the thought of Who You are leaves the enemy trembling / as the awe of Who You are, keeps the heart of me trembling." It is a gorgeous song of praise and adoration.
Closing Thoughts:
This is a great collection of confessional and authentic expressions of faith. The songs are poignant and powerful. There are no filler tracks, and this is the most solid debut I've heard since Over and Underneath by Tenth Avenue North. If you want to experience an uplifting, soul-stirring and worshipful album, look no further than About A Mile. My favorite songs are "Satisfied," "Power of the Cross," "Who You Say You Are," "Oxygen," "Right Now," "S.O.S. (Hope Won't Let Go)," "Reason for Breathing" and "Trembling", which has quickly become one of my favorite worship songs. If you like the rock bands The Fray, Lifehouse, Rhett Walker Band and Tenth Avenue North, you need to check out About A Mile.
Vulnerable and Prayerful Voyage | Posted July-04-2014
Nikki Joy is a new Christian music artist from Florida. Nikki describes herself as “Authentic and Redeemed. My best friend happens to be King. A rebel of darkness and a daughter of light. Always looking for a cliff to jump off of...’Cuz I'm ready to take flight! I'm a down-to-earth kinda girl, but my heart is in the sky. A lady in waiting. waiting for God to send in the right guy. I'm a care-free, FREE spirit, living life with a Holy bliss, I'm a leader, I'm a pilgrim, and most importantly I am HIS.” Nikki aims to create songs that inspire listeners and refresh the soul. The Voyage is a great new collection of very heart-felt and celebratory songs about the voyage of life we are all on as pilgrims keeping our eyes on the prize of eternal life in Jesus Christ.
What's great is how the album sounds very original and yet familiar at the same time. The opening track "The Voyage," is an engaging song with Nikki’s passionate vocals setting the tone for this solid effort with the confessional lyrics, "Take me higher. Take me deeper. I'll go where You go, whatever it takes. A true fighter, I'll travel this course even if my heart breaks. A living sacrifice - to die is gain, to live is Christ."
Like her fellow indie Christian artists, and musical influences Beckah Shae and Lara Landon, the reflective opener has a super-catchy musical vibe and is a wonderful prayer-song about finding regular strength and courage in God's faithful kindness, “keeping our eyes fixed on a new horizon.” Every song is a great reminder for followers of Jesus trying to live out their faith.
Upbeat song “After You” has a contemporary pop musical feel. Nikki trusts in the Lord throughout the song as she offer herself as a living sacrifice as she prays in a psalmist style, “You see the depths of my heart, why I do what I do, so let every step, every breath, be pleasing, pleasing.”
“Eternal Valentine” has an Adele-style confessional feel, and includes comforting words from our Eternal Valentine, Jesus: “See these holes upon my hands? There's something you must understand. These scars were made just for you, now take your fingers and slip them through...Hang on tight.” I can’t get enough of singing back this love song to our Savior which He sings over us, “I am yours and you are mine, here’s My light now let it shine, I’ll love you ‘til the end of time, signed your eternal Valentine, I love you.” The song’s lyrics signify a beautiful call and response to and from Jesus.
I can't get enough of the prayerful and vulnerable song about fighting for purity, and waiting for Jesus to reveal the right guy in the inspiring song of surrender to Christ, "Patiently Wait." The song includes the piercing words: "I will patiently wait for you. I know you are coming soon. I will patiently wait for you." You’ll feel the emotion so poignantly expressed by Nikki as she passionately cries out "I anticipate the day we are one. A love so strong that can't be undone. Through the hard times, through good times we'll always be singing Love's song.” Her commitment to wait on the Lord and listen to His still small voice is truly inspiring, especially as a dad of three young daughters. This song is a wonderful message to pass on to young women who want to pray for God’s will in their lives.
Nikki’s vocals and heartfelt sincerity in many of the songs including "Treasure of My Blood" cause me to hang on every word she brilliantly sings. The lyrics reflect Jesus calling out to us reminding us “don’t doubt My love,” closing out this mesmerizing album with the reflective bridge—"Willingly I, bore the heavy cross. To claim you as Mine, and salvage what was lost. Yes, I bore the heavy cross, For you I bore cross, Again, I'd bear the cross...."
Nikki pours her heart out in every single song which allows listeners to eavesdrop on her expressing her deep feelings, insecurities, and desires for holiness directly to God. I really enjoy how this album tells the story of redemption as each song gives a glimpse of how Nikki offers her Psalm-like prayers to God in the style of David dancing before the Lord.
Closing Thoughts:
If you are looking for the words to express your feelings to God, these songs are a wonderful companion. These are the most transparent, vulnerable and authentic songs I've heard in quite a while. If you like indie-pop style "gourmet" singer-songwriters Beckah Shae and Lara Landon you need to check out Nikki Joy. This entire album is loaded with relatable lyrics, incredible singing and prayerful themes about what it means to be a child of God. Musically, the album features a great mix of laid-back indie-pop and singer-songwriter pop music like Adele and Plumb. Give The Voyage a few deep listens and you'll love it. I hang on every single word and the stirring vocals, prayerful lyrics and musical arrangements are breath-taking.
No Other Name But Jesus | Posted July-01-2014
Reuben Morgan and Ben Fielding's song "Mighty to Save" revolutionized and expanded the worldwide impact of Sydney, Australia's Hillsong Church. Churchgoers worldwide are blessed by the ministry of their subsequent songs "Stronger," "Forever Reign," "God is Able" and "Cornerstone" on collections released as Hillsong Live, now renamed Hillsong Worship. No Other Name is the next chapter for Hillsong's Reuben Morgan, Ben Fielding, Joel Houston, Taya Smith and others who are all featured on this stellar collection of Jesus-focused songs for the Church. The album is available everywhere July 1.
The opening track "I Believe (The Creed)" features tender and powerful vocals and takes listeners on an emotional and spiritual journey with every lyric sung about faith in our God Almighty, our Lord and Savior, Jesus. The chorus is very stirring and convicting: "I believe in God our Father, I believe in Christ the Son… I believe in the resurrection, that we will rise again, I believe in the name of Jesus." The song is a great call to worship, and is a fresh offering of praise for the Church to sing out with passion the salvation Creed from the Word of God from Romans 10:9 (NKJV): "If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."
A sincere desire for the presence of God and to see His Kingdom on earth is found in every song, especially "Heaven and Earth" and "Depths," which are both instantly sing-able prayer songs featuring declarations about Jesus. In this era of electronic music, it is refreshing to hear Hillsong's signature rock style in full effect on these songs.
The standout track for me personally is "Broken Vessels (Amazing Grace)." It is an ethereal vertical worship ballad in the style of "Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)," sung with a stirring passion and filled with the prayerful declarations: "So take this heart Lord, I'll be Your vessel, the world to see Your life in me. Amazing Grace, How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me, I once was lost I now am found was blind but now I see. I can see You now, I can see the love in Your eyes, Laying Yourself down, Raising up the broken to life." This is an incredible song for the Church.
I hope to be singing "No Other Name" with fellow believers. The title track captures the reverence of Acts 4:12 (NKJV): "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." Joel Houston leads the song with the bold chorus: "Seated on High, the Undefeated One, Mountains bow down as we lift Him up, there is no other name, There is no other name, Jesus Christ our God."
"Calvary," led by Reuben Morgan, captures the Jesus focused theme: "Calvary, covers it all, my sin and shame, don't count anymore, all praise to the One, Who has ransomed my soul, Calvary covers it all. No One but Jesus can make us pure as snow." The beauty and majesty of our King Jesus is reverently captured throughout the album with anthem after anthem, including "All Things New," "My Story" and "Our Father." Every single song could be added to your worship set. More importantly, this is an album about submitting to the Lordship of Jesus and declaring there is No Other Name than Jesus Christ our God.
Closing Thoughts:
If you want to experience a fresh, biblically inspired and Kingdom focused worship album, look no further than No Other Name. I'm impressed by the consistent quality and fresh worshipful songs from Hillsong Worship. I've been singing "Mighty to Save," "Stronger," "Cornerstone," "Stand in Awe" and many other Hillsong standards at my church, and I recommend several new worship anthems from this album.
If you are looking for new songs to sing, this album is chock-full of congregational songs, especially "I Believe (The Creed)," "No Other Name," "Depths," "Calvary," "All Things New," "My Story," "Our Father," and the standout "Broken Vessels (Amazing Grace)." I eagerly await each new Hillsong release, and No Other Name is truly stellar. Once again they have released their newest "best" album. I'm drawn to the stirring emotional vocals and deep, prayerful and biblical lyrics throughout the album. This is a great album of new songs for the Church, filled with a sincere desire to sing about the Name above all names, Jesus.
Song to Download Now:
"Broken Vessels (Amazing Grace)" (Get it on iTunes here.)
Sold Out for God | Posted June-06-2014 LoveCollide is the newest offering from the sister duo LoveCollide. Lauren and Brooke DeLeary previously released an album as The DeLearys. Why “LoveCollide”? Lauren and Brooke explain: Everything boils down to the cross. The cross is where God’s incredible LOVE for us COLLIDED with our wretched sin! When you finally understand that kind of love you cannot help but fall more in love with Him and that is when real abundant life begins! We also have a passion for others to see who they truly are in the eyes of Christ and to find their identity in Him. When you begin to see how much He loves you, it changes your life forever.”
The album includes standout recordings like the upbeat radio friendly and accessible openers "Sold Out," “Overtake Me” and “War Cry” and the gut wrenching personal ballads, "Through Your Eyes," “Numb” and “When Forgiveness Wins.”
From my first listen, I was totally singing along with these talented sisters during this album. The opening track “Sold Out” has an upbeat and God-focused flow and is such a fresh song. I’m really engaged by the Deleary’s emotional and sweet vocals and prayerful lyrics throughout the album, which have been seasoned beyond their years by studying God’s Word and songwriting, found in the biblically inspired lyrics, “No matter what the cost, I’ll count it all as loss.” That type of “sold out” for God singing is found throughout the album as the sisters consistently phrase biblical truth in vertically directed songs to encourage and edify listeners to live for God.
The next songs “Overtake Me” and “War Cry” continue with a worshipful and pop-infused musical style. These are both super-catchy songs loaded with biblical truth as Brooke and Lauren powerfully sing, “You overcame the grave, it’s hollow, You show me grace, pave the way to Follow” in “Overtake Me.”
The gorgeous harmonizing resembling BarlowGirl is just one of the many attractions to savor about this upbeat and sincere vertically focused pop album. The standout song “War Cry” causes me to sing along loudly with these prayerful lyrics directly to God: “Give me a faith that never dies out Give me a hope that conquers all doubt You are my Rock, my Strength in this fight, this is my war cry and I’m gonna cry out.” Brooke hits a note when she sings “this is my war cry” that gives me goose bumps. The excitement to share the Gospel carries over to be “living out loud, not holding back, the time is now, right now, to give all I have” as stated in “Living Out Loud.”
“I Love You More” is a pop-worship anthem which I've already added to my rotation of my top female led worship songs of the year. I love how passionately Brooke and Lauren sing the heart cry of the believer, "I love You God with all my heart, my mind, my strength, with all my soul" powerfully singing God’s great commandment.
"Loud Generation" is another catchy song with a David-like abandon before the Lord encouraging believers we should "dance like nobody’s watching, sing like no one’s listening, throw up your hands, this is our chance to be the loud generation.""Rave" keeps that theme going with Brooke and Lauren declaring, "I’m gonna clap my hands, I’m gonna stomp my feet, I’m gonna take a stand for Praise of the living King."
The album stops me in my tracks with two vulnerable and confessional ballads, "Numb" and "When Forgiveness Wins." Both songs showcase the sisters’ vocal and songwriting talent with a personal crying out to God in "Numb" with the sincere and worshipful lyrics "Faith is trusting the unseen when you seem so small. Finally gonna see the Light, Savior, He’s what you need, He’ll set You free, Savior, so you won’t feel numb, Savior.” When I hear the song, the hair stands up on my neck and I haven’t been that emotionally affected by a song since I first heard “Never Alone” by BarlowGirl. The concept of being sold out for the Gospel is perfectly bookended with closer, “Wanna Be” which sings, “Make me unashamed to wear Jesus’ name out on my sleeve Lord I’m Yours to break, strip away the fake, bring me to my knees.”
Closing Thoughts:
Like their female pop counterparts Britt Nicole, Kerrie Roberts, and Natalie Grant, Brooke and Lauren DeLeary have strong vocals and you can immediately identify with their catchy and upbeat lyrics. This is an inspirational and soul nourishing album by promising newcomer LoveCollide, easily the standout new artist of the year for me. They have an incredible heart for ministry and are excellent role models for listeners looking for truth and encouragement. LoveCollide is a completely worshipful album, loaded with biblical truth and sincere and powerful vocals. If you like the pop artists Britt Nicole and BarlowGirl, you need to check out LoveCollide.
Compelled By Love | Posted June-02-2014
Worship Leaders Kim Walker-Smith and Chris Quilala have birthed several new worship anthems into the Church from their Jesus Culture conferences. "Rooftops," "One Thing Remains," "Your Love Never Fails," "Holy Spirit," "Break Every Chain" and "Pursuit" consistently bless me as a worshiper. I was excited to worship along with Jesus Culture Unstoppable Love, recorded at this year's conference and available June 3.
The opening track "Sing Out" (led by Chris Quilala) has an upbeat worshipful flow. I'm really engaged by the emotional vocals by both leaders and the deep, prayerful lyrics throughout the album. The album opens with an exciting foretaste of what followers of Jesus will be singing for eternity. "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain / You are Holy, let every heart, let every tongue lift up Your name" are declarations phrasing biblical truth in a creative and personal way.
"We Will Run" led by Kim Walker-Smith is a gorgeous offering to Jesus, proclaiming "We'll leave our past at the Cross / Surrender before You / We will run to You." Like her great upbeat Jesus-focused songs "Rooftops" and "Alive," you'll be worshipping our King Jesus right along with Kim.
"Light of the World," "Surrender All (Give You Everything)," "No Other like You (We Will Exalt You)," "You Made a Way" and "We Stand" led by Chris each feature an engaging and reflective musical style. "All to Jesus, I Surrender" is the emotional and impassioned bridge of "Surrender All." Just like previous Quilala-led songs for the Church, "One Thing Remains" and "Your Love Never Fails," you'll want to join fellow believers in singing these biblical words of reverence: "There's No Other like You / Nothing compares to Your great love."
Kim sings on the title track "Unstoppable Love," which is a great prayer based on Romans 8:38-39 and Romans 8:35. The song is an amazing way to profess to the Lord: "No sin, no shame, no past, no pain can separate me from Your love, No height, no depth, no fear, no death, can separate me from Your love." You can sincerely pray these words along with Kim, and in the spontaneous worship portion of the song, sing along with her "Thank You Jesus, my heart is overwhelmed, thank You Jesus, my heart is overflowing with joy for You."
I can't get enough of the stand-out song "Your Name is Glorious," led by Kim. Her tender, emotive and powerful vocals take listeners on an emotional journey that gives me goose bumps every time I hear this song. Amidst swelling guitars, Kim sings out the stirring chorus, "Your name is Glorious, We lift You up higher, higher, come see what God has done and lift Him up higher, higher!"
"In Awe of You" and "10,000 Reasons" close out the thematic and biblical proclamations found throughout the album and found in Hebrews 4:16 (ESV): "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need," and Psalm 89:7 (NLT): "The highest angelic powers stand in awe of God. He is far more awesome than all who surround His Throne." Beginning with "Sing Out" the album poignantly ends with "Sing like never before, O my soul, I'll worship Your Holy Name."
Closing Thoughts:
These excellent live recordings on Unstoppable Love are all prayers and declarations of the Supremacy and Sovereignty of Jesus. These are great songs to pray along with these anointed worship leaders and express allegiance to Him, with longings to know Jesus and be in His presence. I really love how expressive these songs are. They allow listeners to reflect on profound words like "No sin, no shame, no past, no pain can separate me from Your love, No height, no depth, no fear, no death, can separate me from Your love" from the standout title track.
I'm impressed by the consistent quality and fresh worshipful songs that come from Jesus Culture. This album is no exception and is arguably their finest and most Scriptural collection of songs for the Church, in particular "Sing Out," "Light of the World," "No Other like You," "Unstoppable Love," "In Awe of You" and "Your Name is Glorious," which is already one of my all-time favorite worship songs. Unstoppable Love is about proclaiming the majesty of God and crying out for His Presence throughout this incredible worship experience. The truly unstoppable love of Jesus is beautifully expressed in these compelling songs.
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