Aftermath
by
Hillsong UNITED [MAIN REVIEW]AFTERMATH is the highly anticipated, 11th full-length album and second-ever studio recording from Hillsong UNITED that released Feb. 15, 2011....
Love Reality | Posted April-02-2010
Having recently read Lisa Samson's Songbird, in which the main character is a female gospel singer who also goes by the stage name Charmaine, I'm not sure what I was expecting out of this one. What I got was sweet pop. With a voice that reminds me of those songs they play at low volume on commercials that leave you wondering, "who is that and where can I get it?", Charmaine's music will tumble around in your head like laundry all day.
"Tell Me" is a relatively simple song lyrically, but speaks volumes. When we need Jesus, we have only to tell Him and He'll supply. "At My Door" is a snappy clappy statement of faith that Jesus will return. (They say I'm going crazy/Don't care how long it's taking/I know You're down the road, almost at my door) "Love Reality" is a reminder that God's love is close even when it feels far away.
"Tokyo", the debut single, has potential to be picked up by a romantic movie, as it doesn't mention God by name (unless you count "You" with a capital Y) As long as God is around, it doesn't really matter where life takes us. It's something Charmaine can relate to, having toured with such artists as Rebecca St. James, Jeremy Camp, and the Newsboys. "Fighting Furies" describes the struggles of a lost soul unsure which way to go. Despite the negative connotations of the words "Not Fair", the song powerfully expresses God's extension of grace towards us rather than giving us what we deserve. "Epiphany" describes a moment of intense relief and sudden revelation. "Revolutionary Thought" describes my feelingsexactly (Teach me how to listen/When You're speaking in the silence). Sometimes when we hear a voice, we don't know who's speaking. Other times, we listen and can't hear anything even if God is calling out to us. The important thing to remember is He is near and He will satisfy.
Closing Thoughts
Love Reality delivers a heartfelt message of God's faithfulness and nearness. Charmaine's album will comfort and touch your heart.
Review Written By: Laura Chambers
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from ChristianMusicReview.org. Click here to visit ChristianMusicReview.org today!
Amy Grant [Somewhere Down The Road] | Posted March-25-2010 [MAIN REVIEW]
Amy Grant returns with Somewhere Down The Road, a unique album full of brand new songs, previously unreleased songs, re-recordings of classics, and rounded out with 4 of her best loved story-songs. I’ve been listening to Amy Grant for over 25 years as I first heard “El-Shaddai,” “Thy Word” and “Tennessee Christmas” when I was in high school in 1985. Like many avid Christian music collectors, I agree that 1988’s Lead Me On was one of the most influential albums in the history of Christian music. Amy truly paved the way for all female artists and today I hear her influence in some of my favorite artists including Sara Groves and Bethany Dillon, who released two of my top 10 albums of 2009. So, where does that put Amy today in 2010? That’s the main question I’ve been asking myself as I’ve been thoroughly enjoying her first new album since 2003’s Simple Things.
For me, the beginning of the album completely reminds me why I’m such a long-time fan of Amy’s music, as first song and single “Better Than A Hallelujah” addresses the topic of being honest with yourself & God. Her vocals are still stellar and the poignant message behind this song has me hooked again, similar to Amy’s classic songs “Lead Me On” and “Saved By Love,” both in catchiness and transparency. Next song “Overnight” really grabbed me as Amy’s vocals are complemented by her first ever duet with her 17 year old daughter Sarah Chapman. The song is about learning to wait for answers to questions and is a wonderful song with great relevance in passing down advice from mother to daughter. Having 3 young daughters myself, who all love Amy’s music, this is a great new song that really moves me.
There are a few previously recorded songs including “Every Road,” “Somewhere Down The Road,” MercyMe’s “Imagine” and a new recording of the classic “Arms Of Love.” All of the songs fit seamlessly into the fabric of the overall album, which has a folk music feel and is very enjoyable. If you’re looking for circa 1991’s Heart In Motion type songs like “Baby Baby” or “Every Heartbeat,” you won’t find them here.
The rest of the album includes some other new songs, highlighted by “Unafraid,” which may be my favorite overall new song as Amy sings about her own children and her mother with a great reminder that “love can make, love will make, make you unafraid.” It is a gorgeous song and really sets the tone for the album. The remaining new songs include “Hard Times,” “Find What You’re Looking For,” written for Mary Elizabeth Chapman, the grandmother of Amy’s 3 oldest children and “Third World Woman.” Previously unreleased “What Is The Chance of That” and “Come Into My World,” which is about learning to listen to people before ‘fixing’ them, also fit nicely into the overall theme of the album: stories & journeys. Amy has always been a great storyteller and many of her most impactful songs have come from her own journey as she sings about the honesty of life, its joys and struggles, and ultimately the hope she has found in faith and love.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
I truly enjoy every song on the album, especially new recordings “Better Than A Hallelujah,” “Overnight,” “Unafraid” and “Come Into My World.” If you were fond of Amy’s 1997 recording Behind The Eyes, one of my all-time favorite albums, then you will certainly want to listen to Somewhere Down The Road. For me, the way that Amy’s albums all reflect her stage in life is what continues to further establish her all-time legacy which includes over 25 million album sales, an incredible feat in any genre.
Rating: 8.8 out of 10 (88%, B+)
Review written by: Kevin Davis | Review can also be found here.
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from ChristianMusicReview.org. Click here to visit ChristianMusicReview.org today!
Passion [Awakening] | Posted March-13-2010 [MAIN REVIEW]
Passion: Awakening was recorded live in Atlanta this past January with more than 22,000 college-age students in attendance. I eagerly wait for each new Passion worship collection, From the beginning Passion268 has been rooted in the confession of Isaiah 26:8: “Yes Lord, walking in the way of Your truth we wait eagerly for You, for Your name and renown are the desire of our souls.” As a result, Passion seeks to gather college and university students across the nation and around the world to seek the face of God, asking Him to ignite in our souls a passionate pursuit of Jesus Christ and a desire to spread His fame to everyone on earth. Louie Giglio says “We believe God is calling out a generation of college students committed to the glory of His name in all things. God longs to bring awakening to every campus, mobilizing the students of today to finish the task of global evangelization in this generation. God is calling us out for this purpose, in this moment, for His renown.”
I’ve been collecting every Passion worship collection since the inception in 1998. The conferences have developed and introduced worship leaders David Crowder, Chris Tomlin, Christy Nockels, Charlie Hall, and most recently Kristian Stanfill and Steve Fee. My favorite Chris Tomlin songs have generally been the new live recordings found on the Passion worship collections, going back to “We Fall Down,” “Enough,” “How Great Is Our God” and “God Of This City.” This collection starts with the great new Chris Tomlin worship anthem “Awakening,” which I hope will soon be a song I’ll be singing with fellow believers, along with the 2 other new Chris Tomlin songs “Our God” and “Chosen Generation.” “Awakening” has a great worshipful chorus which ends with “Let Your will be done in me,” which is the cry of my heart as well. There are 8 new songs on this 12 song collection. The new songs “Say, Say” by Kristian Stanfill, “King of Heaven” by Charlie Hall and “Where The Spirit of the Lord Is” by Christy Nockels and Chris Tomlin are all upbeat, catchy and worshipful.
The standout songs for me are back to back starting with my favorite song of last year, “How He Loves” as recorded by David Crowder*Band. The energy and power of this song are amazing as a studio version, but the song was truly meant to be experienced live and loud, make sure you turn up the volume when you listen to “How He Loves” and you’ll be drained as you sing along with this amazing song. The new Christy Nockels song “Healing Is In Your Hands” gives me chills. I could hardly imagine Christy could out-sing herself after “Hosanna,” but don't miss this amazing new song. You'll be mesmerized by the power and beauty of the lyrics and Christy's incredible vocals.
The collection also includes great live versions of “You Alone Can Rescue” by Matt Redman and “Rise and Sing” by Fee which are wonderful new worship songs from albums released by those artists last year. David Crowder*Band adds another new recording with “Like A Lion” and I was thrilled to hear Hillsong United’s “With Everything” as the closing song, which is a great way to cap off this stellar album.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
These are some of the best new original worship songs of the past few years. If you want to experience a worship "awakening," then you can't go wrong with the biggest names in the business. Tomlin, Stanfill, Crowder, Nockels, Hall, Redman, Fee and Hillsong United are all in top form on this excellent Passion: Awakening album, easily the best in this great series.
Rating: 9.5 out of 10 (95%, A)
Review written by: Kevin Davis | Review can also be found here.
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from ChristianMusicReview.org. Click here to visit ChristianMusicReview.org today!
Adie [Just You And Me] | Posted March-09-2010 [MAIN REVIEW]
Fans flocked to her angelic voice with her debut solo album, Don’t Wait, over three years ago on BEC Recordings. On March 9, 2010 fans get another taste of Adie with her sophomore release, Just You And Me, which features a collection 10 worshipful songs, including some well knows tunes as well as a few new surprises. Adie describes the music as more “organic and raw” than her solo debut. This album lives a bit more in the "worship" category. I’ve enjoyed Adie’s music since she was the lead singer of The Benjamin Gate and since she’s been married to Jeremy Camp, her background vocals on his acoustic live album and also Jeremy’s song “Surrender” have been captivating.
First song and lead single “Where Could I Go” is a great example of the vertical worship style and prayerful lyrics that are found throughout this great album, which I’m sure will have a spot in my top 10 albums of 2010. There is a sincerity in the lyrics and I find myself relating to Adie’s walk as a Christian as she reaches out to God. “All I Need Is You” has a Hillsong United feel to the music as it builds to a powerful guitar riff towards the end of the song, and is another standout track on the album along with the two Hillsong United covers, “Soon” and “Oh You Bring,” my two favorite songs from last year’s Across The Earth: Tear Down The Walls by Hillsong United. We recently started singing those songs at my church and I am so excited that Adie chose to record those songs, which are just beautiful. “Beautiful Lord” is an incredible cover of the song originally recorded by Leeland on Sound Of Melodies and fits perfectly on this album. “Love Come Down” leads seamlessly into “Soon,” which was written and originally recorded by Brooke Fraser Ligertwood of Hillsong United. In the last couple of years, Brooke’s “Lead Me To The Cross,” “Desert Song” and “Hosanna” have also been covered and Adie does an amazing job with this soon to be classic song which is focused on praying for Jesus to come again, “soon and very soon.”
“Seek You,” “Shelter” and “Redemption Song” are all excellent prayer songs in the style of Bethany Dillon’s excellent album Stop & Listen, which I rated in my top 10 albums of 2009. The album closes with Hillsong United’s “Oh You Bring,” another stand-out song and closes with “Only You.” When asked about the theme of this album, Adie explained "Truly learning what it is to seek the Lord with all my heart and sitting at His feet without things being a distraction to me hence the title of the album ‘Just You And Me’. I want to grow so much more and learn what it is to really worship Him in spirit and truth. He has shown Himself strong for me and truly been my shelter and my hope in the middle of some hard life experiences. I chose songs that resonate with what God has been showing me and they're meaning more and more as I go along."
CLOSING THOUGHTS
If you liked Adie’s first solo album, then you must go and get Just You And Me, which I’m sure will have a spot in my top 10 albums of 2010. This album holds my top spot for female solo albums in the past year and is on the level of the latest albums by Christy Nockels, Bethany Dillon and Sara Groves, which is amazing company in my opinion. Adie’s transparency and faithfulness comes out in every song and I have been completely captivated by both her excellent and sweet vocals and her song selection which allows for a prayerful and extremely enjoyable worship experience.
Rating: 9.5 out of 10 (95%, A)
Review written by: Kevin Davis | Review can also be found here.
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from ChristianMusicReview.org. Click here to visit ChristianMusicReview.org today!
Sanctus Real [Pieces of a Real Heart] | Posted March-02-2010 [MAIN REVIEW]
Popularly known for its captivating recordings and live performances, Toledo, Ohio-based Sanctus Real’s breakthrough album, The Face of Love, released in April 2006, landing at No 2 on the Billboard Top Heetseekers chart and amassing a string of radio hits including the No. 1 songs “I’m Not Alright” and “Don’t Give Up.” While The Face of Love was inspired by real-life heartache and rediscovered joy, the band’s fourth studio release, We Need Each Other, marked a completion of that healing process and is a call for unity. Award-winning band Sanctus Real gave fans an early preview of its upcoming, fifth studio album Pieces of A Real Heart with its brand new song, “Forgiven,” which has already been a Top 10 hit at radio.
If you like the new, softer sounding “Forgiven,” then you will absolutely love the entire new album. Personally, I'd say Sanctus Real's songs have matured along with the band members, similar to Switchfoot in that way. However, if you’re looking for edgy rock songs like “Everything About You,” “I’m Not Alright” and “Turn On The Lights” you won’t really find them on this album with maybe the exception of “Take Over Me,” which is one of the rockers on the album. If you liked radio hits “Something Heavenly,” “Face Of Love” and “Don’t Give Up,” then you’ll love this album, which is chock full of radio-friendly yet very personal and engaging songs including “These Things Take Time,” “Lead Me” and “The Redeemer.” “These Things Take Time” got me moving in a similar way to hit song “Don’t Give Up.” “The Way The World Turns” completes a trilogy of songs that all focus on the topic of faithfulness and the challenges in our walks as Christians to accept and give forgiveness, and also seeking Truth and Hope.
“Lead Me” is a surefire hit and is a musical response to Matt Hammitt’s wife Sarah imploring him to be a better spiritual leader in their marriage and for their two young children. Having been married for 15 years and having three young daughters, this song moves me the most on the entire album. This song is a “must own” for all husbands, fathers and young men looking for an honest portrayal of the prayer of a Christian man asking God to lead their lives. I could see this song being a worship anthem for Promise Keepers. “The Redeemer,” “Take Over Me” and “I Want To Get Lost” are another trilogy of songs that focus on the central themes of asking God to inhabit our inner being and truly allow the power of the Holy Spirit to sanctify us.
“’Til I Got To Know You,” “Dear Heart,” and closing song “Keep My Heart Alive” are another great trilogy of songs that focus on the theme of relying solely on the love of Jesus to truly mold our hearts and make us more like Him. “I’ll Show You How To Live” is another personal song like “Lead Me,” but written to Matt’s children in the style of “Boys (Lesson One)” by Jars of Clay. For me, “Forgiven,” “These Things Take Time,” “Lead Me,” “The Redeemer,” “’Til I Got To Know You” and “I’ll Show You How To Live” are among the best songs ever recorded by this great band. I ranked We Need Each Other my #2 album of 2008 and expect I'll find Pieces of a Real Heart in a similar position in 2010. Best overall album by one of the premier bands in Christian music.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
This album is very personal and engaging. If you like Leeland, MercyMe and Jars of Clay, then you will enjoy Sanctus Real, whose musical style I consider a great blend of alternative rock and worship. I expect multiple hit songs to emerge from this album. Sanctus Real has really hit the mark with Pieces of a Real Heart.
Rating: 9.7 out of 10 (97%, A+)
Review written by: Kevin Davis | Review can also be found here.
Meredith Andrews [As Long As It Takes] | Posted March-02-2010 [MAIN REVIEW]
Produced by Jason Ingram and Rusty Varenkamp, the duo that also produced Word Records recording artist Meredith Andrews’ debut record The Invitation, As Long As It Takes is the result of a two year wait since the release that launched the hits “You Invite Me In”, “You’re Not Alone” and “New Song We Sing.” She was accurately described as one of Billboard Magazine’s “Faces to Watch” in 2008. For me, Meredith brings sincerity and relatable themes that get deeper with each listen. My favorite albums are the ones that continue to provide new revelations over time by savoring them and The Invitation paved the way for that experience. As Long As It Takes is in that same mold and is fitting as the title track is based on Meredith’s experiencing the pressure of song-writing, “I was empty and tired and feeling this pressure. It's the music industry and when you're writing for your sophomore record, they say that's the hardest to write. I was trying to prove myself. Okay God, this is where I am. I'm helpless. I'm empty and dry, but I'm just going to sit here until you fill me and wait until you speak and until you move me.”
I think I can safely say in my opinion that God answered Meredith’s prayer of faithfully waiting on Him. I didn’t think it was possible, but somehow this album has topped The Invitation. I find that what I liked most about Meredith’s first album were the amazing album tracks that weren’t singles like “The River” and “Who Is Like You,” which in my opinion are equaled with standout songs “Never Move On” and “In Your Arms,” which was co-written with Jared Anderson of Desperation Band. There are also many songs that I expect will make their way onto Christian radio, starting with the lead single “Can Anybody Hear Me?”, which has already climbed into the Top 20. “Live Through Me” and “My Soul Sings,” co-written with Stu Garrard of Delirious? are in the vein of “New Song We Sing” and “You Invite Me In” and I hope to sing those songs with fellow believers in the near future, along with closing song “How Great Is The Love” which was co-written by well-known worship leader Paul Baloche, who also recorded the song on his album Glorious.
As Long As It Takes includes eleven new tracks from the singer-songwriter who wrote or co-wrote every song based on her life experiences. “Come Home” was written for Andrews’ younger brother. “What It Means To Love” was inspired by a life changing encounter with a young orphan boy diagnosed as HIV positive, McKinsley, that Andrews met on her first trip to Haiti.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
If you like Natalie Grant, Nichole Nordeman and Bethany Dillon, then you’ll really enjoy Meredith Andrews. If you are looking for one of the top female solo albums of the year, then look no further than As Long As It Takes, which currently holds a spot in my top 10 albums of 2010 and will be hard to replace as I’m sure it will continue to challenge, inspire and move me. This is truly a great album and uplifting worship experience.
Rating: 9.5 out of 10 (95%, A)
Review written by: Kevin Davis | Review can also be found here.
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from ChristianMusicReview.org. Click here to visit ChristianMusicReview.org today!
WOW Worship (Purple) | Posted March-02-2010 [MAIN REVIEW]
With over 16 million units sold to date with great momentum coming off WOW Hits 2009 & Hits 2010, the brand of WOW is bigger and better than ever! And just in time for Easter 2010, the WOW partnership is proud to announce the release of WOW Worship (Purple). This two disc, 30 song collection includes; "All Because of Jesus" (Casting Crowns); "Revelation Song" (Kari Jobe); "Your Name" (Paul Baloche); and more. I’ve been collecting every WOW collection album since their inception with WOW 1996, released in 1995. As a collector of the top songs in Christian music, the WOW Hits compilations are fair representations of the most popular songs in Christian music. The WOW Worship collections started in 1999, and this is the 7th in the collection and the first Worship compilation since Aqua in 2006, and many amazing worship songs were recorded in the last 4 years as evidenced by this excellent compilation.
One observation is that the landscape of worship songs has been greatly influenced by the emergence of Nashville based artists covering songs by Hillsong and Hillsong United. There was only one Hillsong recording on Aqua, “Worthy Is The Lamb.” I’m very happy to see that there are six Hillsong recordings on Purple, including brand-new recordings “Lead Me To The Cross” (Francesca Battistelli), which for me is one of the highlights of this collection, along with “Desert Song” (Natalie Grant); “Mighty To Save” (Hillsong United); “Shout Unto God” (Michael W. Smith); “Hosanna” (Selah); and “How Great Is Our God” (Hillsong London), which is a great live recording of the famous song by Chris Tomlin. Speaking of Chris Tomlin, this compilation also includes top worship songs "Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)" (Chris Tomlin); "Everlasting God" (Lincoln Brewster); “Your Grace Is Enough” (Matt Maher); “God Of This City” (Passion) and “The Wonderful Cross” (Matthew West), which is another highlight for me.
Some other emerging Passion worship artists and songs appearing on this collection includes “Everything Glorious” (David Crowder*Band); “Beautiful Jesus” (Kristian Stanfill); “Marvelous Light” (Charlie Hall); “Give Us Clean Hands” (Kutless), which is another highlight for me and "You Never Let Go" (Matt Redman). I’ve always enjoyed Big Daddy Weave and BarlowGirl’s recording of “You’re Worthy Of My Praise” and another standout song on the collection is “New Song We Sing” by up and coming worship artist Meredith Andrews.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
There are 30 great reasons to pick up this excellent worship compilation, which is the best in this great series in my opinion. I think it was great to wait four years and really put together a fresh and contemporary selection of songs that really complements the previous collections. Whether you are a long-time collector or new to the Christian music scene, WOW Worship (Purple) is a worthy addition to any worship music collection. These songs all praise Jesus and are wonderful examples of the great artistry and creativity that is honoring to God.
Rating: 9.2 out of 10 (92%, A)
Review written by: Kevin Davis | Review can also be found here.
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from ChristianMusicReview.org. Click here to visit ChristianMusicReview.org today!
Starfield [The Saving One] | Posted February-16-2010 [MAIN REVIEW]
After the release of Starfield’s critically acclaimed I Will Go album, the band hit the road with a relentless passion to reach as many fans as possible around the globe. Starfield is quickly becoming a global band on a mission to reach the world with a message of hope and salvation. With the momentum built, Starfield returned to the studio to craft their new album The Saving One which is a unique mix of songs delivering tracks that will be heard across radio airwaves as well as be sung in Sunday morning services but most importantly all will bring the listener closer to Christ. The opening title track is a great example of the worshipful style of the songs, both in melody and message it reminds me of “Reign In Us” from I Will Go .
“Rediscover You” is my new favorite song by this great band. The second verse is truly the cry of my heart as well: “I want to learn to pray The way that David prayed, I want my soul to burn when I hear Your name, I want to feel like new, I want to hunger for You. Bring me back to life like only You can do. Cause I don't want to stay the same.” Wow, Tim Neufeld can really write catchy and meaningful lyrics. I’ve been enjoying Starfield since their debut album and “Filled With Your Glory,” “Everything Is Beautiful,” “Hosanna,” “Reign In Us” and “I Will Go” have been in heavy rotation for me. The best part about Starfield’s songs are reflected in truly biblical and prayerful lyrics set to catchy and extremely sing-able melodies. “Declaration of Dependence” is a rock song in the style of “My Generation.” “Overwhelm” is one of those great passionate songs that will have you singing along in prayer to have Jesus overwhelm you. “Top Of Our Lungs” includes a great electronic keyboard part with a heavy bass beat. The chorus “We’re gonna shout His praise at the top of our lungs” is sung passionately in response to the biblical truth of the pre-chorus “who the Son sets free, they are free indeed.”
Starfield has once again released their best overall album, with 10 great new songs reflecting pure and honest relevance to our Faith both in our personal lives and in our Church communities. The Saving One is an album that will find its way on a lot of “best of” lists for 2010, including mine.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
For me, the standout songs are “The Saving One,” “Rediscover You,” “Declaration of Dependence,” “Overwhelm” and “Top Of Our Lungs.” If you like Hillsong United, Delirious, Chris Tomlin and David Crowder*Band, then you can’t go wrong with Starfield.
Rating: 9.3 out of 10 (93%, A)
Review written by: Kevin Davis | Review can also be found here.
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from ChristianMusicReview.org. Click here to visit ChristianMusicReview.org today!
Chris McClarney [Introducing Chris McClarney] | Posted January-26-2010 [MAIN REVIEW]
A worshipper dedicated to drawing the eyes, heart and minds of the church toward its heavenly Father, Chris McClarney’s songs, with absolutely no marketing dollars behind them, have climbed onto the iTunes sales charts and caught the attention of the Redding, California-based Jesus Culture youth movement. An “army” of believers in the movement has adopted McClarney’s “Your Love Never Fails” as its theme song. An “overnight” sensation after having led worship for 15-years, McClarney has spent the last six years at Grace Center church in Franklin, TN. He resides in nearby Nashville, TN with his wife Jasmine, and two small daughters.
Introducing Chris McClarney is an appropriately named 6 song album and if you like soulful and message-driven songs, then you should enjoy this collection of songs. The collection begins with “Your Love Never Fails,” which I would love to sing with fellow believers. The song is a great worship anthem with the bridge “All things work together for my good” which is framed by the biblical Truth “I know that You love me, Your love never fails.” I really enjoy this song and keep playing it over and over. “Still Saving Me” includes the bluesy musical style found throughout the album and is a great prayer song.
The album also includes “Across The Universe,” which sets the tone for the album with the cry out to God “let Your Kingdom come.” Chris has a vocal style similar to mainstream artist Gavin DeGraw and a bluesy-rock infused musical style, which reminds me of the softer songs by Todd Agnew and NEEDTOBREATHE. The album closes with “Blessed Assurance” which has an organ-based musical style and a very relatable theme “this is my story, this is my song, I’m praising my Savior, all the day long.”
CLOSING THOUGHTS
If you like Todd Agnew’s worship-style songs and the bluesy-rock musical style of NEEDTOBREATHE, then you should enjoy Chris McClarney. My favorite song on the album is “Your Love Never Fails.” I would love to sing that song at my church as it is catchy, personal and biblical.
Rating: 8.0 out of 10 (80%, B-)
Review written by: Kevin Davis | Review can also be found here.
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from ChristianMusicReview.org. Click here to visit ChristianMusicReview.org today!
Delirious? [History Makers] | Posted November-10-2009 [MAIN REVIEW]
With Delirious? taking a break at the end of 2009 this is the last project from one of the pioneers of the modern worship movement. Since 1997's Cutting Edge I have greatly enjoyed the Brit-Rock music and lyrical worshipfulness of Delirious?. "I Could Sing Of Your Love Forever", "My Glorious", and "Majesty" have become staples in church services, and as a long-time fan of fellow British rockers U2, Coldplay, Radiohead and worship leader Matt Redman, I have eagerly anticipated every album by Delirious?.
The final chapter in the Delirious? story closes with this – the release of a truly limited-edition and utterly spectacular compilation, History Makers: Greatest Hits. There are single and double disc options.
If you are like me and have been collecting every album by this amazing band over the past decade, then you have probably heard all of these songs, however the older tracks originally from Cutting Edge like “Did You Feel the Mountains Tremble?”, “Shout To The North”, “The Happy Song”, “Lord You Have My Heart”, “Obsession”, “Find Me In The River”, “I Could Sing Of Your Love Forever” and “What A Friend I’ve Found” have a digitally enhanced sound quality that really brings out the amazing musicianship of Delirious?. Stu G’s guitar playing has a place in the history of Christian music similar to how The Edge from U2 has influenced mainstream music. The guitar licks in “Rain Down”, “History Maker”, “My Glorious” and “My Soul Sings” are among the most powerful and signature-sounding in the history of the modern worship genre. Many past and current modern worship artists including SonicFlood, Matt Redman, David Crowder, MercyMe, Jeremy Riddle and The Glorious Unseen have built on the “Solid Rock” foundation set by Delirious?. Speaking of “Solid Rock”, that track is only available on the expanded limited edition 2 disc collection and is one of the stand-out songs originally from The Mission Bell.
From the single disc collection, “Deeper” and “History Maker” represent the break-out album King of Fools, and are great examples of how Delirious? has a blend of both contemporary and worship anthems. My favorite overall studio album Kingdom of Comfort is represented by “My Soul Sings” and “We Give You Praise” and all-time worship classics “Majesty” and “My Glorious” round out this amazing and spot-on representation of the greatest ‘hits’ by Delirious?. If you like the ‘deeper’ album cuts by Delirious? (and I do) then you need to pick up the double disc limited edition which includes “Inside Outside”, “Love Will Find A Way”, “Investigate”, “Stronger” and “Paint The Town Red”.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
It’s the end of an era. In this digital download age, I don’t often recommend compilations, however this is easily the best ‘greatest hits’ anthology I’ve ever heard by one of the premier bands in the history of Christian music.
Rating: 9.7 out of 10 (97%, A+)
Review written by: Kevin Davis | Review can also be found here.
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from ChristianMusicReview.org. Click here to visit ChristianMusicReview.org today!
christianmusicreview's Music and Book Reviews 
