The Rock Won't Moveis the second full-length worship album by Vertical Church Band, available everywhere October 29. The band is a ministry formed out of Harvest Bible Chapel in Chicago and features the worship leaders Seth McConkey, Meredith Andrews, Andi Rozier, Tyler Miller, Kyle Fredericks, Jon Guerra and others. The group wrote over 100 songs before selecting these 10 Spirit-filled songs for the Church. The album is centered on the Rock of Jesus, and a theme verse could be 1st Corinthians 10:4: "For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ."
The exciting opener "Found in You" sets the tone with the gang vocals and the crowd clapping along.There's a Hillsong alt-rock style, with the opening lyrics "We're reaching out to welcome You God, Fill the place again with Your song." I really like the call to worship and find myself frequently singing the catchy and "vertical" chorus: "'Til all we want and all we need is found in You, Jesus every victory is found in You." Amen to that! The song has a great melody, and I would love to sing it loudly with fellow believers.
I love the songs that reflect trusting completely in the Lord's grace for liberty from sin and self-reliance, "I'm Going Free (Jailbreak)" and "The Rock Won't Move." I find myself really singing along loudly with worship leader Kyle Fredericks in "The Rock Won't Move" when he cries out: "The Rock won't move and His Word is strong / The Rock won't move and His love can't be undone / The Rock won't move and His Word is strong, / The Rock won't move and His love can't be undone… The Rock of our salvation." The song builds to an emotional crescendo, building to the bridge "On Christ the solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand / The Rock won't move, no, the Rock won't move!" That's a wonderful Truth that all followers of Jesus can adopt as their anthem of faith.
"Worthy Worthy" and "Strong God" feature my favorite female worship leader Meredith Andrews. Meredith's mission is all about writing and singing songs that reflect what it means to have freedom in Christ. 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. "Worthy Worthy" takes me to the day when we'll all be singing with the saints and the elders in Heaven, "Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty, / Worthy, worthy is Your name / All of Heaven joins the universe ever crying worthy, worthy is Your name." During the vertical song, Meredith cries out: "Jesus, worthy, worthy is Your name… Jesus there's no other name by which we are saved, Jesus, Jesus, there's no higher name than Jesus, there's no greater name than Jesus!"
That takes me to the Throne Room, along with "Strong God" which proclaims the biblical Truth "There is no higher, no, / There is no greater, no, there is none stronger than our God!" I love singing out the lyrics: "Father to the fatherless, Defender of the weak, / Freedom for the prisoner, we sing / This is God in His holy place, this is God clothed in love and strength / Sing out, lift your voice and cry out / Awesome is our strong God, mighty is our God!" Amen!
"I Will Follow" is a sincere and catchy love song sung to Jesus, proclaiming Him as the Lord of our lives: "Even in the want I'll follow You / I believe everything You say You are… / In the good things, in the hardest part, I believe and I will follow You… / I will be with You in Paradise!" Amen.
"Strong To Save" is another standout song about the only name that saves, Jesus. We know from Proverbs 18:10 (NKJV): "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe." There's safety and security in the knowledge of our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus. There's only one name under Heaven by which we can be saved, Jesus.
Many of the songs are arranged in a very sing-able and catchy style, such as "Only Jesus Can" which is filled with great statements of faith: "He can do it, Yes, He can… / No One else can save us, Redeem us, create a new life within us, Only Jesus can."
Closing Thoughts:
This great album has quickly become one of my top worship albums of the year, fitting in nicely with upbeat and exciting worship like We Are Young & Free by Hillsong Young & Free, Citizens by Citizens, and Heart by The City Harmonic. If you like those bands and albums, then don't hesitate to check out Vertical Church Band. The idea of an entire album filled with songs proclaiming Jesus as our Rock and our foundation is a devotional challenge as left to our own devices, many of us would build on sinking sand. What's especially cool about this new album is how every song is true to that biblical concept with strong messages.
I really enjoy the exciting musical vibe of this album, and the melodies and lyrics are all catchy and biblical. The Rock Won't Move is loaded with great rock beats, catchy melodies, and solid lyrics reflecting unashamed faith in Jesus. Everything we do and everything we have needs to come from the place of who we are in Jesus. There's safety and security in the knowledge of our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus. There's only one name under Heaven by which we can be saved: Jesus. This album proclaims that Truth in every single song.Don't miss out on this incredible worship album, one of the best of the year for sure.
A Beautiful Debut | Posted October-29-2013 After a few years in the Contemporary Christian band Kimber Rising, Amanda Noelle Wilcox released her solo debut album Beautiful Name on August 20. The album was preceded by the singles "Love Is Greater" and "Beautiful Name."
Opening track "Bigger Than Your Fears" is a wonderful song of encouragement to not live in fear and to know as believers that in Christ we can do anything. God will never fail us or forsake us until the work of the Lord is finished. Amanda faithfully declares in the song, "His arms are strong enough to hold the mountains high and valleys low / Let your faith be bigger than your fears." Amanda has spent time leading worship on the Girls of Grace tour, and her faith in God is evident in every song.
"Lights Out," "All About the Glow" and "Limit" all feature an electronic dance music feel, with a similar message and musical vibe as several recent catchy pop songs released in Christian music like "Battery" by V. Rose, "#LITO" by Press Play and "Dangerous" by Group 1 Crew. "Lights Out" features Group 1 Crew's Manwell Reyes, with a call to "Put Your Hands Up."
"Beautiful Name" is a worship anthem which I've already added to my rotation of my top female led worship songs of the year. I love how passionately Amanda sings the song of believer, "Lord take it all, Knowing that You're here is enough for me / Every tongue will confess at the glory and strength of Your name, Your beautiful name… / Jesus, Oh Jesus, what a beautiful name, Jesus!" Amen to that!
"All About the Glow" is another catchy song with a reference to Matthew 5:15-16 that as believers we can be "all around the world / shining bright so they can see." "Limit" keeps that theme going with how we are called by Jesus to take up our Cross and follow Him, with Amanda declaring, "I want to take it to the limit."
The album closes with two catchy and standout songs, "Love Is Greater" and "Back to You." Both songs showcase Amanda's vocal talent and she bookends her album with a personal crying out to God in "Back to You" with the sincere and worshipful lyrics "I'm giving it all, my heart and my soul, I'm giving it back to You."
Closing Thoughts:
Like her female pop counterparts Britt Nicole, Kerrie Roberts, Mandisa and Natalie Grant, Amanda has strong vocals and you can immediately identify with her catchy and upbeat lyrics. Beautiful Name is an inspirational and upbeat album by promising newcomer Amanda Noelle. She is one of my favorite new female artists. Amanda has an incredible heart for her ministry and an excellent singing voice. "Beautiful Name," "Love Is Greater" and "Back to You" are my favorite songs on the album. If you like the hit songs "Overcomer" by Mandisa and "Hurricane" by Natalie Grant, then you'll want to check out Amanda Noelle.
Powerful and moving | Posted October-15-2013 MELODIME's newest album is called Where the Sinners & the Saints Collide. Listening to the opening tracks, “The Call” and lead single “Halo” that opens the 12-song collection, it's clear that the themes of the duality of mankind and people coming together to do good regardless of our differences runs throughout this excellent album. The Northern Virginia based band, named for “melody” mashed up with “time” is made up of Bradley Rhoades (vocals, guitar), and brothers Sammy Duis (piano, bass) and Tyler Duis (drums). The group essentially grew up in the church, with the Duis’ father serving as a pastor and Rhoades working as a worship leader at his church.
This album will have you hooked right from the opening notes of “Halo,” which really sets the tone for this album. As Christians, we can all relate to the vulnerable and sincere crying out in the bridge: “I'm building kingdoms now from this abandoned town; a severed will, restored and filled; with help from the angels I can fly now...”
“Two Strikes” is an incredibly catchy song with weighty lyrics about judgmental people. It includes the album title in the lyrics, “I walk the line with my feet on both sides; I find the blind where the sinners and the saints collide.”“Halo” was partly influenced by the demise of Sammy Duis’ marriage as was the breakup anthem “Framed Love-Suicide (Let You Go).”
“Lullaby” is a gorgeous love song, and is a moving and encouraging song, as is “Ruby Reds.” I get choked up when I pray along with the soothing lullaby-lyrics: "Let me get my words right, Let me get my feet firm on the ground…I admit I’m afraid, almost faithless At the end of day when the night hits…lullaby, lullaby, to keep me from my sleeping, ‘cause I could not stop dreaming of you."
The alt-rock edge of “Little People” frames an incredible song about the sin that comes from our pride. The song captures the irony of self-righteousness. The accuser is just as flawed as the accused. I love the emotional chorus: "Won’t you kiss Heaven for me baby, steal a cup of sugar from the angels…here’s the bitter truth that I’ve come to, for you and I, we’re all little people, itty bitty people, that’s right, but we forget from time to time."
Bradley's vocals are emotive and honest, which makes the words he's singing all the more powerful and moving. “Love Songs & Lies” is achingly beautiful, both musically and perhaps even more so lyrically. The song is about the desire to maintain the joy over the years in a relationship. The lyrics are sincere and moving, “You won’t lose this heart of mine.”
Don’t miss the blues-inflected rocker “Outlaws” and the philosophically minded ballad “Red Light, Green Light”, reflecting the album's wide range of sounds. The words, “It’s a boy, it’s a girl, it’s a hope, it’s a red light, it’s a green light” are a great metaphor for relationships. The stand-out song includes some vivid imagery, “I’ll skin my knees when the red light comes…you yell green and I’ll run, you say stop on red, but honey I’m not listenin’…It’s a talk, it’s a kiss, it’s a fight…red light, green light.” It’s that type of songwriting that sets this album on a higher level than most of what I’ve heard this year.
The last tracks really display the musical and lyrical excellence and diversity of MELODIME. As if the album wasn't amazing enough, the ending songs are as strong as the beginning with the great songs “Madman,” “Ruby Reds” and the standout anthem “City of Nothing.” The closer takes to task those who are so obsessed with their possessions that they are oblivious to the pain surrounding them. I can't think of a better way to cap off an incredible album.
Closing Thoughts:
Where the Sinners & the Saints Collide is one of the catchiest and most meaningful albums I've heard this year. Every song is absolutely amazing. They are taking a very unique approach with this album. The band is donating 100% of the proceeds from the sale of this record to benefit children in their own community and around the world that have a desire to play an instrument but are not afforded the opportunity to chase that dream. I can’t get the catchy melodies of many of these songs out of my head, which is perfectly produced by Rick Beato (NEEDTOBREATHE, Shinedown, Decyfer Down). Just like those excellent alt-rock bands, this album includes a solid mix of southern rock tinged music with inspirational lyrics.
Don’t miss the standout songs “Halo”, “Two Strikes”, “Little People”, “Love Songs & Lies”, “Red Light, Green Light”, “Ruby Reds” and “City of Nothing.” The very relatable and transparent words of these songs remind me of my favorite band, NEEDTOBREATHE, who also use poetic imagery to depict our daily spiritual warfare wrapped around catchy songs that you can proudly share with people of all musical tastes and preferences. This album could easily include a “satisfaction guaranteed” label. MELODIME is a band you’ll want to tell others about.
If there's one thing you can be sure of in contemporary Christian music, you can expect big emotive vocal moments from the Gospel Music Association's multi-year female vocalist winner, Natalie Grant. From the first time I heard her song "I Will Be" from her album Deeper Life, to the Dove Award winning song of the year "Held," and most recently her award winning worship song of the year: "Your Great Name," I've always been emotionally connected to Natalie's songs.
Available everywhere October 15, Natalie Grant's release Hurricane blends everything I've always enjoyed about her music ministry and this is her career best album in my opinion.
"Closer To Your Heart" establishes the electronic dance musical flow found in several songs throughout the rest of the album and you can physically feel the emotion in Natalie's vocals. In a slam out of your speakers song that could be played alongside any of the top songs in mainstream music, Grant lays down some of her most vulnerable lyrics to open the song praying, "Here I am once again crying on the floor." The song beautifully blends weighty lyrics with pop sensibilities. It is one of the best pop songs I've heard this year.
"Hurricane" is a great reminder that we're all in storms, and the lyrics are a message for every follower of Jesus to cling to, "It's never too late / Never too far / for you to reach out / and take a hold of love." I hear Natalie's passion in her voice when she sings those lyrics. As the song reminds us, "When you feel the rain / Call His name / He'll find you in the hurricane." What an inspirational message. Jesus commands each of us to trust Him completely. Trusting Jesus assures us that we don't have to be afraid. Pray these words along with Natalie: "Step out on the edge. Don't be afraid of it. Just let go / ‘cause you are held in His arms." Amen.
I love the prayerful offering sung directly to Jesus: "For All Of Us." The song has already become one of my personal worship anthems with the piercing words: "Here at the Cross / Your death the price / Your agony means life for all of us / You did it for all of us." Like "Your Great Name," the emotional song is vertically focused on Jesus. You'll feel the emotion expressed by Natalie as she passionately cries out "Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain." Amen.
"Whisper" is a confessional song about her desire to see God in her life, where Natalie offers the sincere and vulnerable prayer: "I keep wanting something bigger, sometimes I miss Your whisper," which leads to the acknowledgment, "let it go and listen now, I don't want to miss Your whisper." I can't get enough of the musical and vocal build. Don't miss this standout track.
In her gorgeous and personal piano-based ballad "Burn Bright," Natalie emotionally sings, "You were made to shine, you were made for life, even if you've lost your way, turn and hear Love say, you were made for more, so much more, child of everlasting light, made to blaze away the night, baby burn bright." These are great prayers for followers of Jesus looking for ways to express their gratitude for what Jesus has done for us.
"This Is Love" has a great dance-infused musical flow, and Natalie brings home the infectious biblical message of the song, "hope is rising, there is joy, It's in dying, we are born, and as we give, so we receive, the grace to impart in another, redeemed by Him…give it away, let mercy reign, this is love." In the song is a great reminder for all Christians: "be an instrument of truth, live it out, let words be few, let our lives be living proof, this is love." Amen.
EDM song "Dead Alive" keeps the danceable musical flow going and includes one of main themes of the album—"hope inside is rising…You stole my heart, You're my only obsession, You've electrified my soul and You're making the dead alive, I'm alive…My voice sings Your praise, My King of Glory, I want to be a page in Your story." These are some of the best lyrics in catchy dance songs I've ever heard.
What sets this album apart from most of what I hear in music can be found in the last two tracks, "When I leave the Room"and "In The End." Natalie sings the lullaby song "When I Leave the Room" directly about her daughters. The gorgeous and tender ballad is yet another highlight on this mesmerizing and worshipful album.
One of my favorite moments of every night as a father of three young girls is to visit their rooms and say goodnight prayers with them and pray over them "when I leave the room." It's a part of every day that I savor, and the song perfectly captures the emotion I feel as a parent. It's a sweet time, hoping they are dreaming big dreams and thinking vertical thoughts. I pray for them to share what is on their hearts with their Heavenly Father, and that they are also thinking of others as greater than their own needs.
Don't miss the gospel-infused closer, "In The End." It has a celebratory chorus—"We win in the end." The exciting song, featuring Natalie's signature vocal expression and a banjo-led melody is a celebration that in the end, Jesus will overcome. Although we may feel like losers in life, if you've put all of your hope and trust in our perfect Savior, in His eyes we are winners. What we see dimly now, we'll see clearly in Heaven. What makes no sense now will make perfect sense in eternity. Amen to that! Natalie pours her heart out in every single song. I really enjoy how this album tells the story of hope in the midst of the storms in life as each song gives a glimpse of how Natalie offers her prayers to God.
Closing Thoughts:
To me, Hurricane represents the best of Natalie's illustrious career, seamlessly bringing together all of her elements of infectious melodies, stellar vocals, and worshipful lyrics in a flawlessly produced album. Every song is catchy and meaningful. They are all standout tracks. There are emotional ballads including "Burn Bright," "Born To Be" and "When I leave the Room," exciting pop songs, "Closer to Your Heart," "Hurricane," "Whisper," "This Is Love" and "Dead Alive," and the worshipful celebrations, "For All of Us" and "In The End."
The album is all about finding hope in our times of storms. Hope is what keeps the lights on, and our ultimate hope is Jesus. His goodness is proclaimed in every song. This album is a reminder that even in our "hurricanes," a better day is coming. The clouds are going to part. This album is not full of Christian clichés, but instead is loaded with fresh offerings of praise that every believer can celebrate. The song order is also meant to take listeners on the journey with Natalie from "crying on the floor" to "we win in the end." This album is loaded with radio hits, but more importantly it takes listeners on a spiritual journey learning truths about Jesus that changes and moves you. I fully expect this album to win multiple awards. Hurricane is one of my top albums of the year.
Still Has the Heart of Worship | Posted October-08-2013
Matt Redman has long been my favorite worship leader. I was hooked as soon as I heard his song, "The Heart of Worship." The story behind the song is that in response to his church having too much focus on music his pastor suggested they take a break from singing, which led to his writing the worship classic. The words, "I'm coming back to the heart of worship, it's all about You," sum up Matt's ministry and focus on vertical worship. His sincere singing and songwriting style and biblical inspired lyrics have made me a huge fan. Redman is best known for writing the worship anthems "10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)," "Blessed Be Your Name" and "You Never Let Go."
The first three songs from this project—"Sing And Shout," "Your Grace Finds Me" and "Mercy"—all flow together with a Brit-rock musical style and plenty of energy and excitement about our relationship with Christ and that His grace is worthy of praise, such as in "Sing and Shout" with the confessional proclamation: "Your grace, Your grace, I hear it call my name, I'm waking up to sing, Your cross, Your cross, it draws me to Your heart, We will sing and shout, sing and shout, open up our hearts and pour our praises out, open up our hearts and pour Your praises out!"
The first single and title track, "Your Grace Finds Me" is exactly the type of catchy corporate worship song I've come to love from Matt Redman. The song features instantly sing-able vertical and prayerful lyrics: "There in the sweetest songs of victory, Your grace finds me." I sing along with the top of my lungs when Matt belts out, "Your great grace, oh such grace." Amen.
"This Beating Heart" finds a stylistic cousin with the song "Lay Me Down" and has an infectious chorus: "This beating heart, like a drum it will beat for You, my soul, my soul sings for You." "One Name Alone" is filled with Matt's excellent use of solid theological truth as it opens with the biblical lyrics: "Everybody praises the thing they love, everybody announces what they adore, and where you lay your treasure, there is your heart…One Name alone, I am living for, One Name my heart and soul adores…Jesus be my everything!" Amen to that!
"Jesus, Only Jesus" would fit on any Hillsong or Passion album, and the song is also included on Passion: Let The Future Begin. Matt has written and sung several hits for the Passion collections and this song will also resonate with believers everywhere like his other prayerful anthems "Our God" and "Lay Me Down" as recorded by Chris Tomlin. You'll quickly be singing the reverent chorus: "Holy, King Almighty Lord, saints and angels all adore, I'll join with them and bow before Jesus, Only Jesus." It's that type of worshipful humility that has always attracted me to Matt's incredible and worshipful songwriting.
For those looking for times of reflective and personal worship, don't miss "I Need You Now," "Wide as the Sky" and "Good Forever." "I Need You Now" is a powerful anthem and I love the emotion and biblical truth that Matt brings to the song. The song has Matt's signature soothing vocals as he prayerfully belts out "O Living Water, O God My Healer, If I ever needed You, I need You now." "Good Forever" is instantly sing-able and worshipful with a great chorus, "You are good forever and Your love endures, Jesus always, Your love remains, You are good, You are good." Amen.
Every now and then a song comes along that I can really sing as a daily prayer in response to my Savior, and this album is loaded with that type of song, and standout among them is "Wide as the Sky." As Matt challenges in the song, "all the other names fade away, until there's only You, Jesus take Your place." Consider those words when you are starting your day and have this sentiment be your daily anthem, "everybody praises the things they love, and I'll be praising You my God." A beautiful and prayerful "Benediction" closes out this very engaging worship experience.
Closing Thoughts:
Highly anticipated after the incredible award winning success of his last album, 10,000 Reasons, this compelling, 12-track live album Your Grace Finds Me is an excellent follow-up. The album keeps Matt's signature holy energy flowing, and has plenty more songs that you'll soon be singing with fellow believers. This album provides listeners with twelve tracks of vertical offerings to God that you can sing in any circumstance.
Matt Redman's theological, holy and reverent style of writing and singing worship songs has consistently attracted me. Several of Redman's new prayerful sentiments should be added to your Sunday morning worship set, especially "Sing and Shout," "Your Grace Finds Me," "This Beating Heart," "Jesus, Only Jesus," and the gorgeous ballads "I Need You Now," "Good Forever," "Wide As The Sky" and "Benediction."
Story's Next Riveting Chapter | Posted September-30-2013
Laura Story has lived out an almost indescribable story of faith, grace and blessings. Most known for her award winning, gold selling single "Blessings," Story is releasing her newest album, God of Every Story. The album contains 10 compelling new vibrant and insightful songs and one re-recording of "Grace" that she penned for her album. Laura's husband Martin suffered a brain tumor early in their marriage in 2006, which inspired "Blessings" and she and her husband recently welcomed their baby girl Josie to their family.
Like her song "Indescribable," this album opens with the congregational friendly song "There Is A Kingdom" which showcases Laura's gifts as a songwriter for the Church. The song opens with an upbeat tempo and the call to worship, "Church arise and, sing for the joy / Sing for the joy we found / with our lives we, shout out Your praise God, we proclaim Your Kingdom's coming." The album is loaded with that type of worshipful truth as Laura sincerely praises God for His goodness in every single song. "O Love of God" is another vertically focused song including the lyrical word pictures, "O love of God, my shield and spade, Will You turn me to the oceans of Your grace?"
God has gifted Laura as a storyteller, and like in her previous offerings, the highlights are found in her vulnerable prayer-songs, including lead single, "I Can Just Be Me." There is a lyrical nugget for Christians looking for words to express their deep feelings of knowing that this fallen world is not their home: "I've been living like an orphan / Trying to belong here / But it's just not my home."
Right from the opening notes of "God of Every Story," you'll be mesmerized by the melody and message of this amazing song. The piano melody and sweeping strings frame the transparent, vulnerable and moving title track, which Laura said was the last song written for the album. The song ties all of the other songs together, anchored down by the biblical truth of Isaiah 55, "His ways are higher / than we could ever comprehend / when our world is shaking, He holds us in the palm of His hand." Amen.
God's promises us in His Word that His mercies are new every morning. Whatever situation you are facing you can know that God is with you, always. That truth is tenderly portrayed in "Who But Jesus." Laura praises the loving and sacrificial attributes of our Savior as she achingly sings, "Who but Jesus, loves this sinner / He alone is my righteousness."
"Keeper of The Stars" was originally the title track before Laura and producer Ed Cash wrote "God of Every Story." It's another song for the Church. I really like how Laura changes pronoun tense similar to "10,000 Reasons" by Matt Redman as she sings, "I'm giving it all to the Keeper of the stars / You're the Keeper of the stars / Look up now, O my soul / See His greatness and behold, behold!" I'd love to sing the song with fellow believers.
"He Will Not Let Go" is a gorgeous closer. Laura achingly sings this tender and prayerful ballad about God's faithfulness. I love the closing words of the song and album: "I've heard it soft, this too shall pass, the joy will come, that the hurt won't last / so I will trust that within His grasp / I am not alone / For He will not let go." Amen.
Closing Thoughts:
God of Every Story is a Spirit-filled and emotional listening experience. All eleven songs are catchy, worshipful and biblically focused. If you liked "Blessings," then you absolutely must have this album. Laura is an anointed songwriter and she has a profound way of bringing me to the Throne Room of grace with her poignant words, tender singing, and inspirational truths. I get welled up singing along with several of the emotional laden songs, especially "I Can Just Be Me," "God of Every Story," "Who but Jesus," "You Gave Your Life" and "He Will Not Let Go." If you are looking for the inspirational album of the year, look no further than this album.
This entire self-titled debut project by Essential's The Neverclaim produced by Paul Moak and Jason Ingram has captivated my spirit. The album includes standout recordings like the congregational friendly, sing at the top of your lungs anthems "One Truth, One Life" and "Mighty Jesus" and the southern rock tinged vibe of "Revival," "My Soul Longs" and "Burn."
From my first listen, I wanted to tell others about this great new band from the Portland, Oregon area, who immediately reminded me of my favorite band NEEDTOBREATHE. They named their band based on the idea that "We never want to claim God's glory as our own" according to lead singer Jeremiah Carlson.
The opening track, "Revival," has an "outsiders" style worshipful flow and is such an exciting song that stirs my soul to cry out loudly, "we were made for such a time as this, when every knee will bow and tongue confess Jesus Christ for Who He really is, Revival, Revival!" Amen to that! I'm really engaged by Jeremiah's emotional vocals and the sincere, enthusiastic, and biblical lyrics throughout the album.
Lead single "One Truth, One Life" is based on John 14:6 and is layered with an exciting southern rock musical style reminiscent of Rhett Walker Band and Third Day. The song will have you singing along in one listen, "There is only one Way, one Truth, one Life, one Way to the Father, Jesus Christ!"
I find many of the songs like "Pearl of Great Price" and "Steal Their Hearts" have me bowing my heart in worship and crying out to our Savior: "Jesus, Treasure of Life, You are the Pearl of Great Price, Matchless, what could compare to Your sacrifice?" In this musical era of using euphemisms in worship songs, three songs into the album, and I immediately noticed that the Name of our Lord, Jesus, is boldly proclaimed in each of the opening songs. To quote Evan Wickham: "Hallelujah Jesus!"
"Steal Their Hearts" is a wonderful prayer for parents everywhere who want to raise a godly family: "That they would know Your great mercy, and walk in all Your ways…may they sing of sweet salvation and Your amazing grace, ‘cause one day I know I'll have to let them go, Would You steal their hearts? Would You call their names, in a broken world trying to do the same?" I'm drawn to Jeremiah's sincerity, emotive singing and profound, biblical songwriting.
The six-piece's full band musical feel including banjo, and multiple layered guitars is just one of the many attractions to savor about this exciting and upbeat worship album as in the next song, "My Soul Longs" we get to join in the gang vocals, "He's coming back for His bride, Hallelujah!" This is a great song to sing as a body of believers waiting in hopeful anticipation for the Return of our King, Jesus!
"Mighty Jesus" keeps the worshipful flow going with the corporate worship friendly proclamation: "His Presence is more priceless than all things, and at my broken heart He stands knocking at my door, I'll let Him in and sing, Mighty Jesus, Rock of Salvation, when all else is shifting sand, it's on You alone I stand!" Amen.
The stand-out song "Burn" is next and I can't get enough of this song. Jeremiah's emotive vocals and the exciting rock musical bed take you on an emotional journey that gives me goose bumps every time I hear this song. The lyrics are very stirring, "Consumed by the Holy Spirit…our hearts beating as one, come on burn, I want to burn for You."
The album closes with a prayerful, exciting re-write version of the hymn of the faith, "Holy Holy Holy" called "Enthroned on High" featuring Lindsay McCaul. Like the rest of the congregational friendly album with a vertical directed focus to our Triune God, this album humbly submits, "There You are Enthroned on High, Here I am, I lay myself down low, with these hands I'll stretch out to sky, I will bring praise to the Lord God up above."
Closing Thoughts:
The Neverclaim is the most clearly Jesus-focused collection of worship songs I may have ever heard, which is so refreshing in this musical era of ambiguity and euphemisms. If you've been desperately waiting for a fresh filling of The Holy Spirit-led worship that is truly unashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, then don't miss out on this incredible album, one of the best of the year for sure. If you feel like most of what you sing in church sounds the same, and you want to experience an uplifting soul-stirring and completely worshipful album, look no further than The Neverclaim. My favorite songs are "Revival," "Pearl of Great Price," "Steal Their Hearts," "My Soul Longs," "Mighty Jesus," "Burn" and "One Truth, One Life", which has quickly become one of my favorite worship songs. If you like the rock bands NEEDTOBREATHE, Rhett Walker Band and Third Day, you need to check out The Neverclaim.
Reflections of Amazing Love | Posted September-19-2013
Following up her impressive major label debut You Got My Attention, Fervent Records' Dara Maclean returns with Wanted, produced by Paul Mabury and available everywhere September 24.
The opening track "Wanted" is an engaging song with Dara's passionate vocals setting the tone with the personal and uplifting lyrics: "You, you have been marked / You're set apart / And He calls you His / So you don't have to search / Don't have to look for where you belong." Like her musical influence, Lauryn Hill, the opener has a super-catchy musical vibe and is a wonderful song about finding affirmation that "you are wanted."
"Our Only Hope" establishes the soulful musical flow for the rest of the album and you can physically feel the emotion in Dara's vocals. She proclaims her statement of faith by praying, "You're the Healer to the broken, Shepherd to the lost…Our only hope is Jesus." Amen to that!
Just as God commanded Moses to tell Pharaoh in Exodus, "Set My People Free" is an emotional highlight. The song addresses how God feels about human trafficking —"After all You've done in me, I will be Your hands and feet, follow where You lead as You say 'Set My people free,' Every boy and girl, deserves to know a life, far beyond the final reach... so the captives know, and my enemies can see, that I will set My people free."
"Good Enough" is a confessional song about Dara's identity in Christ, where she emotionally offers, "So I won't spend my whole life paying my own price, trying to be good enough, I'm gonna just let You love me, finally see me the way You see me, believing Your grace is enough for me." These are great prayers for followers of Jesus looking for ways to express their gratitude for what Jesus has done for us.
"Step Into The Light" has a great rhythmic musical flow, and Dara brings home the infectious biblical message of the song in the bridge: "All we have to do is step into the light, can you feel it, can you feel it…no more darkness, can you see it, we're walking in the light of love, yes we are."
In her gorgeous and personal ballad "Blameless," Dara asks the question, "what manner of love is this that You would lay down Your life?" based on 1 John 3:1: "Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him." I can't get enough of the musical and vocal build, complete with gospel-choir backed harmonies. Don't miss this standout track.
I also love the prayerful and vulnerable Lana Del Rey-like musical style song of surrender to Christ in "You Are All I Need." The song has already become one of my personal worship anthems with the piercing words: "In You I'll live, In You I'll stay, by Your Word, Light the way, You take me to the mountain, You take me to the depths, You take me to the fountain, when I have nothing left, You lift my head, You lift my head…" This emotional and melodically-soaring track is a poignant statement about finding God's transcendence and is a reminder to "not worry" in daily difficulties. You'll feel the emotion so poignantly expressed by Dara as she passionately cries out, "You are strength never failing, You are all I seek, You alone are enough, You are all I need." Amen.
Piano-based "I Am Blessed" keeps the Adele-like musical flow going and includes one of main themes of the album: "Here's my heart, laid bare before You / Now my prayer is just to know You / Since the day I was overcome by Your love / I'll never be the same / I'm ruined, I'm wrecked, and I can't go back to the way it was before You / my Savior, my Strength / I don't have to know what happens next to know that I'm forever blessed."
Dara's vocals and heartfelt sincerity in many of the songs including "Made" and "Find Rest" cause me to hang on every word she brilliantly sings. Dara sings the love song "Made" directly to her husband. The string laced song is yet another highlight on this mesmerizing album with the reflective chorus: "It's the easiest thing I'll ever do, ‘cause I was made to love you... what God has done, two become one." Dara pours her heart out in every single song which allows listeners to eavesdrop on her expressing her deep feelings, prayers, 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 Dara offers her Psalm-like prayers to God.
Closing Thoughts:
Recently married earlier this year, the album is seasoned with Dara's life experience and convictions. The album is filled with songs reflecting that she's loved, "blameless," "blessed," and made in the image of God. Her desire is to share that in Christ we are free from the burdens of guilt and shame and we are "wanted." Every song is catchy and meaningful. The standout tracks are "Wanted," "Set My People Free," "Good Enough," "Blameless," "You Are All I Need," "I Am Blessed," "Made" and "Find Rest."
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 lyrics I've heard on any album this year. If you like soulful singer-songwriters like Adele, Lana Del Rey and Natasha Bedingfield, you'll love Wanted by Dara Maclean. This entire album is loaded with relatable and biblical themes, incredible singing and prayerful words about what it means to be a child of God. Give Wanted a few deep listens and you'll love it. I hang on every single song and the stirring vocals, prayerful lyrics and musical arrangements are breath-taking.
The brand-new album by rock/worship band Cloverton, titled Patterns, is based on Romans 12:2 (NIV): "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."
The ambient instrumental opener "Anatole" flows into the song "Someday," which lead singer Lance Stafford sings with a soothing and worshipful alt-rock style. I really like "Someday" and find myself frequently singing the eternity minded bridge: "When the wandering ends someday / And we rest on Your wings someday / We will dance in the sky someday / Sing with angels on high someday." The song has a great melody and I could imagine singing it with fellow believers. I love the biblical truth of the song and Lance's sincere vocal style.
My favorite moments on this solid album are the glimpses into the band's trusting completely in the Lord's providence to make this great new album in the songs "Green Light" and "Mountains Will Move." I find myself really singing along in "Green Light" when he cries out: "It's a green light for you to find the arms of a love / They're lifting you up / It's a green light for you to find / This sea has a floor that's leading you up to the shore / Go."
"Father's Love" and "Glowing In the Dark" continue with an engaging Brit-rock tinged musical style. Don't miss either of these catchy rock tempo worship songs. The opening lyrics of "Glowing In the Dark" reflect the wake-up call to the Church as evidenced in Ephesians 5:14. "Wake up sleeper / Lift your head / we were made for more than this / Wipe the slumber from your eyes." My pastor shared that "a lamp doesn't talk, but it shines." That's our job as Christians. Sometimes it is better to keep our mouths closed and not get in the way of the Gospel. Instead, "Go on glowing in the dark." Amen to that!
"Patterns" is a sincere cry for Jesus to be the Lord of our lives: "Patterns are breaking us down / Patterns masquerading the crowds / Patterns separating us from You now." Amen. The words of Paul in Philippians 3:8-11, that "nothing compares to the greatness of knowing Jesus" come alive in "None Compare." Many of the songs are arranged in a very singable and catchy style.
"White Knuckles" is a great anthem for believers to submit to God in prayer with the humble lyrics, "Sweet surrender, sweet / When our two wills meet / And mine is on its knees."
The soothing musical feel of "God Help Me to Be" is just one of the many attractions to savor about this worship album. It's a prayer that every believer can pray along with Lance: "God, help me believe when everything around me points to uncertainty / Remind me of the hope of You that's living in me, oh God / And God, help me to shine like stars up in the universe that's Yours and not mine / And fill me with Your light so that the darkness will hide, oh God // Hallelujah, Amen."
The album ends like it starts, with an ambient closer "Psallo." This entire project has a nice Brit-rock tinged worshipful vibe. I'm really engaged by Lance's sincere and soothing vocals and the prayerful lyrics throughout the album.
Closing Thoughts:
I love this great album Patterns by Cloverton, which has quickly become one of my top worship albums of the year, fitting in nicely with other ambient worship projects like Zion by Hillsong UNITED, Citizens by Citizens, and Heart by The City Harmonic. If you like those bands and albums, then don't hesitate to check out Cloverton. For me the standout songs are "Someday," "Green Light," "Father's Love," "Glowing In the Dark," "Patterns," "White Knuckles" and "God Help Me to Be."
It's important as believers that others around us see the light of Jesus reflected in our lives—in our words, actions, behaviors, even our thoughts. That's what Romans 12:2 and this album is about, the patterns that we align ourselves with. Are we conforming to the patterns of the prince of this world? That's darkness. Our enemy seeks to destroy us with those patterns. Or, are we praying for the renewing and transforming of our minds so that we can reflect the light of Jesus in our lives?
I really enjoy the soothing musical vibe of this album and the melodies and lyrics are all catchy and biblical. Musically the album doesn't conform to the pattern of typical CCM worship music. The vibe is very ambient, with Brit rock sensibilities and reminds me of Imagine Dragons, Hillsong UNITED, and Coldplay mashed up together.
Personal Prayers | Posted September-04-2013
Patrick Levis, the outspoken Christian actor most known for his work on Disney Channel, has developed a growing music ministry. He has spent fifteen years serving as a worship leader in the local Church, and ten years leading the Christian music group Least of These. Levis is launching his first solo album, Extravagant God.
I have had the privilege to meet Patrick, and he truly has a passion for praising our God. Right from the opening song "Extravagant God," Patrick brings uplifting reverence and a joy of worship to our King. I really like the song and find myself frequently singing the chorus: "Extravagant God, the world is Yours / You made us for Your glory / So here we are to glorify Your name / Cause we want to see you extravagantly praised." The song has a great melody, and I could imagine singing it with fellow believers, especially the worshipful chorus. I love the biblical truth of the song and Patrick's sincere vocal style.
My favorite moments on this solid album are the glimpses into Patrick's walk as a Christian in the original songs "Magnificent Lord" and "Unwearied Savior." I find myself really praying along with Patrick when he cries out to God: "When I break His heart again and again / to Him I come with all my need / My Unwearied Savior forgives me." The album also includes a standout recording of the hymn of the faith "How Great Thou Art."
"Break My Heart" and "My Rock" continue with an engaging rock ballad musical style. The soothing musical feel is just one of the many attractions to savor about this soothing worship album. I find that in many of the songs we get to join in Patrick's prayer time as he prays,"So won't You break my heart / Shatter desires to make it Yours alone / And I'll boast in nothing but Your Son who You gave to a cross / To make me Your own." Amen to that! Those songs remind me of contemplative worship songs like "My God" by Jeremy Camp and "Jesus, Son of God" by Chris Tomlin.
I especially like the blend with female vocalist Caitlin Wade on "His Song." Many of the songs are arranged in a very sing-able and catchy style. "His Song" picks up the tempo as it continues and finishes with a great anthem for believers: "His song, hallelujah / Brought me to my knees / His song, hallelujah / Forever set me free / I've been saved, I've been changed / I've been raised from the grave / And now for all my days I'll sing His song."
The album ends like it starts, with a catchy rock tempo worship song "Take Your Place." The closer has gang-vocals and a sincere cry for Jesus to be the Lord of our lives— "Take Your place, set Your Kingdom on earth / As it is in Heaven above / Take Your place, rule our lives / Bow our knees and lift our eyes / To the praise of our King Jesus Christ." This entire project has a nice Brit-rock tinged worshipful vibe. I'm really engaged by Patrick's sincere vocals and the prayerful corporate lyrics throughout the album.
Closing Thoughts:
Patrick's passion is to create music that inspires the worship of Jesus Christ in his listeners and to point their attention toward the lavish love of an extravagant God. He honestly opens his heart in each song as an invitation to the listener to do the same, welcoming them to wrestle through the realities of life, faith and art in a way that is unapologetically authentic. His debut album Extravagant God is an overflow of this authenticity. With Psalm-like candidness, Patrick cries out to God to be real and relevant in the midst of life's messier situations, to reveal His grace in times of failure and to bring redemption to life's most hopeless moments. I really like Patrick's singing voice as it is very soothing, and his album is great for meditative times of worship. I really enjoy the musical vibe of this album. The melodies and lyrics are all catchy and biblical. Fans of Jeremy Camp and Chris Tomlin should enjoy this solid worship album.
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