Passion: Here For You 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 268Generation 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. 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.
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,” “God Of This City” and “Our God.” This collection begins with the great new Chris Tomlin worship anthem “We Are Here For You,” which I hope will soon be a song I’ll be singing with fellow believers, along with the other new Chris Tomlin songs “Symphony,” “All My Fountains,” Lord I Need You” and “Spirit Fall.”“We Are Here For You” has a great worshipful chorus and I love the crowd energy which opens this collection. There are 9 brand new songs on this 13 song regular edition collection. The other new songs “Set Free” by Chris Tomlin and Matt Redman, “Sometimes” by David Crowder*Band, “Waiting” and “I Will Carry Your Name” by Christy Nockels are all upbeat, catchy and worshipful. I especially like the musical arrangement on “All My Fountains” by Chris Tomlin.
The standout songs for me starts with one of my favorite songs by David Crowder*Band, “Shadows,” which on this recording gives me chills as David Crowder*Band has a guest rap vocal by Lecrae. 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 “Shadows” and you’ll be drained as you sing along with this amazing song. Lecrae is INCREDIBLE on this recording. I loved "Shadows" by DC*B before, and this version knocked my socks off. Also, Christy Nockels and Kristian Stanfill could sing me the phone book and I'd be hanging on every word. Their vocals are stunning. The new Christy Nockels song “I Will Carry Your Name” also gives me chills. I could hardly imagine Christy could out-sing herself after “Healing Is In Your Hands,” 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 the Hillsong worship song “Forever Reign” and “Always” by Kristian Stanfill.
I listen to lots of music daily and this is on a whole level higher than most of what I've heard this past year, surpassing even Passion: Awakening which I didn't think was possible. People need to hear this masterpiece and worship "Our God" with their whole hearts, minds and souls. The digital deluxe edition ends with a new recording of "Our God" with guest vocals from Lecrae which are amazing. Chris Tomlin meets Lecrae-what a mash-up! I've got to see that version performed live in concert, and "Shadows" by DC*B with Lecrae. Basically pick any great song and add Lecrae and he makes it even better.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
After an amazing run of new worship albums to start off 2011 with Hillsong UNITED, Bethel Live, Worth Dying For and Know Hope Collective, along comes some of the best new original worship songs I've heard in the past few years. If you want to experience a spine tingling worship experience then you can't go wrong with the biggest names in the business. Tomlin, Stanfill, Crowder, Nockels, Hall, Redman, and guest vocalist Lecrae are all in top form on this excellent Passion: Here For You album, easily the best in this great series.
After a three-year departure, Audio Adrenaline lead singer Mark Stuart and bassist Will McGinniss return with some of their favorite emerging voices of worship as the Know Hope Collective, a ground-breaking initiative that combines worship music with stories of hope and inspiration. The Know Hope Collective will be an ever-changing group of musicians from a variety of backgrounds who come together to create worship music and share their unique experiences and testimonies. The group introduces new cuts on their debut album Know Hope Collective including “Attention” and “Jealous God,” and re-works some Audio Adrenaline hits like “Ocean Floor,” “Good Life,” and “Hands and Feet.” For me, Audio Adrenaline was one of the first bands I discovered when I became a fan of Christian music artists. In fact, I was only listening to secular music artists when “Devil’s Diary” was recorded by The Caulfields which inspired the writing of Audio Adrenaline’s “Never Gonna Be As Big As Jesus.” Jars of Clay’s debut album crossed over and introduced me to Gospel truth for which I’m eternally grateful.Speaking far more than he sings now, Stuart shares the microphone with Julia Ross, David Leonard (former Jackson Waters vocalist), and Jason Walker.
This album opens with the incredible new worship anthem “Attention.” I’ve long enjoyed Mark’s passionate vocal style and I was hooked right from the opening line, “You call me here from all the things I'm chasing, You bring me to this place to lie down, You pull me from the wars I've been waging, And remind me there's a table set for us. Exhale, shut my eyes, let me slow down and be still. Speak. You have my attention, Lord.” This song reflects my heart’s desire and is a great song for the Church.“Sanctuary” is another great congregational song led by Julia Ross. The musical excellence of each song rivals Hillsong UNITED, and if you like songs like “Lead Me To The Cross,” this album is for you as each song has that level of passionate and worshipful declaration to our God and Savior.
Standout song “Build Us Back” has already been recorded by newsboys, and you must hear this version as it has completely captivated me and become one of my personal worship anthems. Mark Stuart starting writing the song based on his experience of personally surviving the earthquakes in Haiti as he was there with his wife during that terrifying event. Many times a year Mark and Will visit the Hands and Feet orphanage they helped build in Haiti, and Stuart was there when the devastating earthquakes shook the country. As tragic as it was, hope survives. You’ll be singing at the top of your lungs, especially the incredible bridge “Redeemer, redeem us, Restorer, restore us, Oh build us back, Though the mountains be shaken, the hills be removed, Your unfailing love remains, After all that’s been taken, Your promise, still sacred, You build us back with precious stones.” The song literally gives me chills and is a standout worship song. As if that incredible start to the album wasn’t enough, next comes a great re-working of the classic anthem “Hands And Feet.” Along with “Ocean Floor” and “Good Life,” it was great to hear those familiar Audio A refrains with co-vocals and arranged to be sung as a body of believers.
“We Remember,” “Jealous God” and “Just To Be Here” are all just as catchy and flow perfectly as this album is arranged in an amazing song order. The song I can’t stop playing is “Spirit Speaks.” Vocalist David Leonard’s former band Jackson Waters, an alternative rock band from Arkansas, hooked me big-time with Come Undone and I've been constantly enjoying that album and it was one of my favorite albums of 2007. Their songs are rich in emotion and melody and musically “Spirit Speaks” delivers that Jackson Waters worshipful feel that I’ve been missing. Just like “Attention,” the song is another declaration directly to God, “Your Spirit speaks, it moves in me, and I’m awakened to Your love, You’re drawing me onto my knees, and I’m astounded by Your love, You spoke life into my lungs, and You are the air I breathe, and still You move inside of me, and You are the song I sing.” It is my favorite song on this amazing album.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Naturally I was excited when I heard about this new album, and if you liked Audio A, you’ll certainly LOVE this album. The key for me that makesKnow Hope Collective easily the best work ever produced by these talented musicians is the collaboration with these new worship artists to produce one of the most infectious and worshipful albums I’ve ever heard. I would love to sing all of these songs with fellow believers. Every song on this album has quickly become a staple in my playlist of my favorite worship anthems. For sure, Know Hope Collective will be among my top albums of the year.
Worth Dying For [Love Riot] | Posted February-16-2011
With a mission to be not just a band, but a youth movement that can shake generations, rock-infused worshipers Worth Dying For released their newest projectLove Riot. The band has been part of Ammunition Movement, the youth ministry of Calvary Temple of Modesto, CA for almost six years. Now the band is poised to let their songs resonate in the hearts of the young people across this nation. Fans of Hillsong United, Skillet and Evanescence will be drawn to the guitar-driven rock sound and the fresh lead vocals of Christy Johnson and Sean Loche.
The cohesiveness of this album is one of the highlights for me as the 15 songs run in a track order that flows seamlessly from one song to the next similar to award winning Church Music by David Crowder*Band. “Destroy” is a spoken word sermon/song that kicks off the album. Although it’s an unusual beginning, I really like how the energy builds and once the drum beat kicks in right before the speaker announces: “warriors arise and raise your fist with us, defeat is no longer an option” which leads to the chorus: “we stand, we rise, we give our lives.” Christy continues her lead vocals into the next song “Savior” which is a stand-out worship rock anthem and has a very catchy and convicting declaration: “Savior, Savior…so come and release Your fire again.” I knew I was in for a treat with that explosive beginning.
Title track “Love Riot” has a rock dance beat and Sean’s lead vocals really grabbed me. I especially love the lyrics: “Love riot, turn the city upside down. Love riot, for the Name of Jesus.” Christy sounds off with a catchy bridge and the song has one of the best musical beats I’ve heard in awhile. I can’t get enough of stand-out song “Through Your Eyes” as the rock beat, and Christy’s, Sean’s and Trevor’s vocals all grab me as the song cries out “I want to see the world through Your eyes.” “You’re Alive” and “Stir It Up” keep the energy gushing with cool edgy rock beats and great guitar riffs. Some other highlights for me are “Higher,” “Power of Your Love,” and “No Love Greater” which all feature Christy’s stellar lead vocals and are high energy rock worship songs. The album closes with some reflective worship songs, “Closer,” “Take Me Away,” and a great cover of “My Glorious,” originally recorded by Delirious?.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
I was familiar with Worth Dying For from their Integrity Records debut and I’ve long enjoyed the female rock vocal style of Evanescence and Flyleaf. Christy Johnson really displays a similar vocal style on the stand-out songs for me on this solid album: “Savior,” “Love Riot,” “Higher,” “Power Of Your Love,” “No Love Greater,” and my personal favorite song from this album “Through Your Eyes,” which features co-vocals by Sean Loche and a guest vocal by Trevor McNevan of Thousand Foot Krutch/FM Static. I love listening to this album during my commuting time when I want a pick me up album that glorifies God and gets me pumped about my faith. Love Riot is loaded with great rock beats, catchy melodies, and solid lyrics reflecting unashamed faith in Jesus.
Be Lifted High begins with a new worship classic “You Are Good,” and the energy and enthusiasm of the crowd is infectious. I knew when I started singing and clapping along with the live recording that I was in for a real treat. The next hour and all 13 songs kept me hooked with the incredible vocals, stellar guitar playing and the amazing audience participation. This is what a live recording is all about. The vertical worship and number of songs I could imagine singing in union with fellow believers in a corporate worship setting is another highlight of this very solid album. Some of the songs that would be great additions to church services are “You Are Good,” “One Thing Remains,” “Furious,” “Be Lifted High,” “Hopes Anthem,” “Love Came Down” and “Deep Cries Out.”“One Thing Remains” is led by Brian Johnson with the amazing chorus “Your Love never fails, it never gives up, it never runs out on me.”“Furious” is led by Jeremy Riddle and is one of my favorite songs of the year with the biblical truth: “His love is deep, His love is wide, And it covers us, His love is fierce, His love is strong, It is furious, His love is sweet, His love is wild, And its waking hearts to life.” I love the bridge of “Hopes Anthem”-“He’s bringing hope to the hopeless, giving His heart to the broken, sharing His home with the orphans, He is the hope of the nations, He is the song we’re declaring, He is the joy, He is my joy!” The song is challenging and uplifting I can’t get enough of it.
“Deep Cries Out” is one of the best “dance” worship songs I’ve ever heard. You can’t help but move your body while belting out this incredible new anthem, which makes me think of David dancing before God in worship. “God I Look To You” has that classic Jesus Culture worship experience feel and will have you lifting your hands in worship to our King, as the bridge declares over and over “Hallelujah, Our God Reigns, Forever all my days, Hallelujah!” The album ends as great as it begins with closing tracks “God Of The Redeemed,” which features Jeremy Riddle, along with “Forever and a Day,” which has that Jesus Culture feel again and “One Thirst,” which features the entire worship team. “One Thirst” will have you singing along with the Bethel Church congregation as they close with the chorus “Hallelujah come, yes Hallelujah come, we wait for You to come and show Your glory here today.”
CLOSING THOUGHTS
If you like the song “Sweetly Broken,” you’ll love the album Be Lifted High.If you like Brit-Rock style praise and worship artists Hillsong UNITED, Matt Redman, Tim Hughes, Jesus Culture and Delirious?, then you can’t go wrong with Jeremy Riddle and the Bethel Live worship team. Every song on this album has quickly become a staple in my playlist of my favorite worship anthems. Every song is worshipful and catchy. For sure, this will be among my top worship albums of the year. My best description of this incredible album is to remember the first time you attended a worship event that really made the hair stand up on your neck and if you want to re-live that experience, then you need to get Be Lifted High.
Rend Collective Experiment [Organic Family Hymnal] | Posted February-08-2011
Hailing from Bangor, Northern Ireland, Rend Collective Experiment’s acclaim began at home as a movement of 20-somethings that has now begun to spread across Europe to the Americas and beyond. Charting a unique course, Rend Collective Experiment is a group of friends collectively wondering how to make sense of the conundrum of life, God and community. What Rend Collective Experiment’s 15-plus members add to the conversation are melodies, harmonic progression and lyrics that are Scriptural and contemporary, fresh and ancient. I grew up without a personal relationship with Jesus and only listened to mainstream music. When Ireland's U2 released "Where The Streets Have No Name" from The Joshua Tree in 1987, I didn't have an eternal perspective on life but I fell in love with Brit-Rock music. As a new believer in 1999, Delirious? hooked me with "Deeper" and now having retired the torch is passed to Rend Collective Experiment.
Several standout songs reflect the brilliance of this incredible album, my favorite worship album since Church Music by David Crowder*Band. The opening track “Come On My Soul” grabbed me with the gang vocals and musical style which crescendos to a worshipful chorus. The album just captivates me with every song, as it flows into “Faithful,” which features a guest vocal by David Crowder. First single “Movements” is one of the best worship songs I’ve ever heard. I’m completely convicted by the strong lyrics and find immense comfort in this song filled with biblical truth. I am especially comforted by the truth of the lyrics of the song which comes straight from Isaiah 40:30-31. “You Bled” is a gorgeous re-write of the classic hymn, “I Stand Amazed,” and will have you singing at the top of your lungs. "Above Everything Else” reminds me of a Snow Patrol song, and is one of the other rocking songs on the album before it closes with several reflective worshipful songs. This album is truly a worship experience and is very sincere.
“Everything we do is growing in a natural, non-manufactured environment,” band leader Gareth Gilkeson shares. “Rend was a student movement representing numerous churches, and the ‘collective’ grew out of that. The songs came from an organic environment, searching after the heart of God. We wanted to reflect what God was doing and teaching us, and offer that up for the rest of the world to hear.” As for the group’s unusual moniker, Rend Collective Experiment is a nod to the places in Scripture where it says to “rend your hearts” and not your garments,” a bold call to be genuine."
CLOSING THOUGHTS
This is the kind of unique worship album I've only dreamed was possible. If you like "God of this City" by Bluetree, this album is for you. There are several standout songs, "Come On My Soul," "Faithful," "You Bled," "Exalt," "Above Everything Else," "Too Much" and "Movements," which is one of my all time favorite worship songs.
Hawk Nelson [Crazy Love] | Posted February-03-2011
Hawk Nelson has sold over 500,000 albums so far in their career and are getting ready to release their 5th studio album, Crazy Love, on February 8th. The album kicks off with Hawk Nelson’s signature rock/punk sound with “Tally-Ho” which flows right into “Your Love Is A Mystery.” What sets this album apart from previous offerings is the lyrical content, best exhibited in several stand-out songs. “Your Love Is A Mystery” has a great prayerful message “You love me Jesus it’s a mystery, You know my faults, You know my wrongs and You still love me” combined with a great synth-rock musical style, similar to “Let’s Dance.” With Crazy Love, Jason Dunn, Danny Biro, Jonathan Steingard and Justin Benner continue the call for action heard on the band’s last studio album Live Life Loud. Inspired by Francis Chan’s book Crazy Love, Dunn and producer Ian Eskelin wrote the title track and debut radio single as a greater wake-up call to love: “This book made me realize how much God loves each and every one of us,” says Dunn. “Sometimes submerged in a Christian environment, we lose perspective of what Jesus did for us on the cross. We need to wake up and grasp the meaning of what he did; Jesus made something completely unattainable, attainable, and we are called to live in and practice that same ‘crazy’ love.”
“Crazy Love” has quickly become my all-time favorite song by this great band and I am very convicted by the great lyrics: “We're the ones gonna put it all in reverse, Gonna die to ourselves, gonna live to serve.” If you haven’t had the chance to read the book by Francis Chan, this song is a great primer about the challenge to Christians in James 2:17 (NKJV): “Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” “My Next Breath” is a confessional ballad that really shows the growth and maturity of the band. The chorus is a great statement of faith, “I know that I am loved, because You bought me with Your blood, I need You more than my next breath.” Another stand-out song for me is “We Can Change The World.” Like the other highlights, the song calls Christians to action with the great and catchy lyrics “we all know what we should do, it’s time for us to show the Truth, it’s up to me, It’s up to you, we can change the world, you and me, we can make a difference if we just believe, when the hands and feet start moving together, we can change the world…forever.” I’ve been a big fan of this band since their debut Letters To The President and their incredible sophomore album Smile, It’s The End of the World. As fun as those albums are, I think they have really stepped up the lyrical content with the stand-out songs on Live Life Loud like “The Meaning Of Life” and “Alive” and several songs on Crazy Love.“Done Holding On” really grabs me at the end of the album with the challenging lyrics “I’m giving up my secrets, I’m giving up my faults, I’m telling You I’m empty, should’ve known all along, It’s taken me my whole life, to realize I’m wrong, I’m giving up my secrets, I’m done holding on.” Closing track “Thanks For The Beautiful Memories” is a great upbeat autobiographical song where the band thanks their fans and God with the great lyrics: “thank God for blessing me each day, we just want to thank You for all that we’ve been through together, dreams become reality, we just want to thank You one more time, we’ll never thank You enough.”
Hawk Nelson still brings the fun songs as “Tally-Ho,” “We’re Alright,” “Skeleton,” “One Shot,” “Fraud,” “Joanna,” and “LAX” all remind me of previous rock anthems “Live Life Loud,” “Friend Like That,” “The Show,” “Bring ‘Em Out,” “Hello” and “California.” There is a maturity and musical diversity that really makes Crazy Love yet another solid album with more lyrical progression picking up where Live Life Loud left off. The band lists Jimmy Eat World as a musical influence and if you like that rock/punk sound combined with Spiritual lyrics, this album is for you.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
If you’ve liked previous albums by Hawk Nelson, you’ll love Crazy Love. This is another solid album by Hawk Nelson. For me the standout songs are “Your Love Is A Mystery,” “My Next Breath,” “We’re Alright,” ”We Can Change The World,” “Done Holding On” and the excellent title track “Crazy Love,” which is now my all-time favorite song by this great band. If you like rock/punk like Jimmy Eat World, FM Static and Stellar Kart, then you can’t go wrong with Crazy Love.
RED [Until We Have Faces] | Posted January-24-2011
Essential Records' two time GRAMMY-nominated hard rock outfit RED packs a potent sonic punch on its third project, Until We Have Faces, a record that leaps out of the speakers with a ferocity and complexity reflecting the band's growth and intensity. From the opening seconds of "Feed The Machine" through the final, contemplative moments of "Hymn For The Missing," the four-man unit of vocalist Michael Barnes, guitarist Anthony Armstrong, bassist Randy Armstrong and drummer Joe Rickard shows both maturity and abandon can coexist within the various dimensions of rock RED inhabits. I’m truly a fan of this band now. Since getting hooked by the amazing music and excellent vocals by Mike Barnes, I’ve had some time to listen more closely to the themes of all three albums. “Breathe Into Me,” “Already Over,” “Lost,” “Fight Inside” and “Death Of Me” are such intense rock songs, I didn’t think RED could possibly have another level, however the opening guitar hook and Michael’s scream to kick off “Feed The Machine” proved me wrong. The chorus has me totally captivated: “We fall in line, we live the lie, Give up, give up and feed the machine.” Even if you don’t normally listen to hard rock albums, the artistic nature of these songs draws you in and elicits an emotional response. As hard as “Feed The Machine” starts, it ends with a soft choral and orchestral arrangement that just calms you. This excellent rock album totally brings the perfect package of heavy rock guitars and the emotive vocal punch and gorgeous strings found in the two previous RED albums.
The new album's overarching theme is a search for true identity, inspired by a number of sources, including author C.S. Lewis' book of similar title, Till We Have Faces. The band itself is working through its own new identity - as a four-piece with the addition of drummer Rickard. Until We Have Faces takes listeners down the path of recognizing the hollowness of life until finding their true identity on first single "Faceless," which has quickly become my all-time favorite song by this incredible band. I’ve been constantly singing the chorus, “I’m not, I’m not myself, Feel like I’m someone else, Fallen and faceless, So hollow, hollow inside, A part of me is dead, Need You to live again, Can you replace this? I’m hollow, hollow and faceless.” “Lie To Me (Denial)” keeps the rock flow going and the theme of this album is very cohesive as the songs all point to the concept of finding our true identity. The idea of creative destruction unveiled in the midst of new life is found on "Let It Burn," and simultaneously presenting the positive energy found even "in a world so cold" is explored on the infectious, melodic ballad "Not Alone." These are truly some of the deepest rock songs I’ve ever heard as they all challenge me and I can’t wait to see the band perform these new songs in concert, especially the rock anthem “Who We Are,” which has one of the best guitar parts I’ve ever heard. “Hymn For The Missing” is the incredible closing song which is a wonderful ballad and reminds me of “Pieces” from End Of Silence and “Take It All Away” from Innocence & Instinct. The song accentuates Michael’s tender vocals and features new artist Kerrie Roberts singing a gorgeous harmony at the end of the song. Paired again with award-winning producer Rob Graves, Until We Have Faces features RED in its most musically intense place to date.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
I am so impressed by the music and production mingling the harder rock guitars, soft strings and the emotive vocals of Mike Barnes, I even enjoy the ‘screaming’ in the harder songs “Feed The Machine” and “The Outside.” The messages throughout many of the songs are very positive and although RED has had mainstream success, I don’t question the spiritual seeking nature of the lyrics, which are naturally much more Christ-centered than mainstream metal bands like Linkin Park that many have accurately compared to RED. To me, the stand-out songs are “Feed The Machine,” “Faceless,” “Lie To Me (Denial),” "Let It Burn," “Not Alone,” “Who We Are” and the epic closing song “Hymn For The Missing.” This album firmly establishes RED as the premier rock band in all of Christian music. If you like Pillar, Breaking Benjamin and Linkin Park, then you’ll enjoy RED. Until We Have Faces is the crowning achievement by this incredible rock band and will certainly be among my top albums of 2011.
Luminate [Come Home] | Posted January-20-2011
Luminate is a band from Tyler, TX that was formed in the fall of 2005 by two students attending Visible School of Music in Memphis, TN. Best described as passionate, stirring and worshipful, Luminate's musical core is formed around an ambient rock sound. Their songs challenge us to rise above the apathy in today's society, and to pursue our dreams with purpose, while reminding us our lives and what we do has worth. Singer/lyricist/rhythm guitarist, Sam Hancock, writes poignant and meaningful lyrics with anthemic choruses that usher crowds into a corporate experience with God. Lead guitarist, Cody Clark, complements the melodies with reverb and delay-laden guitar riffs, while keyboardist/background vocalist, Dustin DeLong, adds ambient warm touches. Mix in the rhythmic bass lines of bassist, Dusty Jakubik, and the power of drummer, Aaron Mathew, and a song of vision, faith and thirst for God is sung.
Bringing an abundance of emotional and epic songs to the studio, the band joined forces with highly-acclaimed producers Paul Moak and Ed Cash to record the new album Come Home, released January 25, 2011. I would not normally write a review starting with the last two songs, however I originally listened to this album in alphabetical song order and two songs I kept playing over and over are “Destiny” and “This Is Love.” As I listened to the album in the correct song order, I was thrilled that those songs close out this excellent album, one of my early favorites of the year. “Destiny” is a stunning song which starts as a reflective ballad and builds to an incredible crescendo “We won’t give up, we won’t give up, ‘cause You gave Your Son, and You paid our price, so we give our lives!” with Stu G. from Delirious? adding his signature guitar licks to this standout song. The album ends with “This Is Love,” which starts as an acoustic guitar ballad and Sam’s yearning for God is infectious: “This is love, keeping me awake tonight, this is love, I can’t free You from mind, “’cause I’ve never felt a part of something greater than myself, until now, I’m waking up, this is love.” I’m totally a lyrics guy, so I’m really thrilled that this album delivers in all of the categories that generally make an incredible album, top notch music, personal, introspective and challenging lyrics and passionate vocals. Opening songs “Innocent” and “Healing In Your Arms” delivers on all levels with the pulsing pop music and upbeat melody.
Title track and hit single “Come Home” is a prodigal son story song based on Sam’s true personal awakening to his saving faith in Jesus and was written about choosing to “come home” and reunite with his band after spending time in Los Angeles considering a career in mainstream music. The song has one of the catchiest musical hooks I’ve ever heard and I literally get goose bumps when Sam belts out the amazing second verse “There’s power in the blood of Jesus, Your Father’s screaming just come home!, He’s reaching out His hands.” This is one of the best songs of the year for sure and really exemplifies the strong combination of catchy music and moving lyrics and vocals. “What I Live For,” “All I Want” and “Hope Is Rising” are more strong statements of faith. “New Beginnings” is about finding hope, peace and purpose in Christ, and thematically links to the proclamation in the title track. “Atmosphere” is another standout song, which slows the tempo down and features stellar female harmony vocals by Kate York. I’d love to hear more female harmonies in future songs by this up and coming band, one of the best new bands I’ve heard since Dove Award winning new artist The Afters.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
If you like OneRepublic, The Afters, Chris Tomlin and Brandon Heath, then you’ll really enjoy this new band. They have a very polished pop sound mixed with meaningful and personal lyrics. To me, Sam Hancock is a potential male vocalist of the year and I find myself hanging on every word he sings as his vocals are passionate and reverberate from my speakers. All twelve songs are unashamed of the Gospel and this is the type of band you’ll want to tell others about. The album could come with one of those “satisfaction guaranteed” recommendations as the themes appeal to anyone and musically their sound is extremely radio friendly. After repeated listens, the songs get deeper into the recesses of your heart with the challenging messages. I love every song and consider them a band to watch. I consider Luminate the “next big thing” based on this excellent album, an early contender for one of my top albums of the year.
Future of Forestry [A Film & TV Collection] | Posted January-13-2011
Since the album release in 2007, I have loved Future of Forestry's Twilight album. The song "All I Want" is a standout track and I still listen to it all the time. The lyrics "I will go where mercy meets the shame, I will go where strength will find the small and meek" are so worshipful and also reflective and challenging. Former Something Like Silas lead singer Eric Owyoung really brings out some amazing emotional rock (emo) themes like loneliness, divorce and coming out of darkness with songs like "Open Wide," "You And I" and "If You Find Her."
The past 2 years, Future Of Forestry unveiled the next step in the journey with Travel, Travel II, and Travel III, with 18 new songs that provoke contemplation, encourage day-dreaming, and deepen perspective on all things beautiful. Future of Forestry has been one of my favorite bands for the past few years. Musically they are one of the most interesting bands in any genre and are one of the best kept secrets in Christian music. The three Travel albums are all stunning, and very interesting musically. Eric Owyoung is one of my favorite vocalists and all 18 songs included in the trilogy are interesting and challenging. The best of those songs are included on this anthology collection, "Traveler's Song," "This Hour," "Hills Of Indigo Blue," "Holiday," "Protection," "Set Your Sails," "Bold And Underlined," "Your Day's Not Over," "Working To Be Loved" and "Horizon Rainfall."
“Hallelujah” reminds me to not think of prayer as a lot of words and a lot of requests of God. When we speak so much, we miss out on all of the interaction you can have with God in prayer. “Slow Your Breath Down” reminds us to slow down and listen. We can’t earn God’s grace, it is freely given and He takes away our burdens. “Did You Lose Yourself” ties-in with the name of the band, which is taken from a C.S. Lewis poem. Am I going to be a slave to technology and work 24/7 or am I going to take time and reflect on God’s beauty and spend time alone with Him? Life is a journey and is about having different conversations with God. These 3 songs reflect the overall message of the Travel trilogy, which is that as Christians we need to journey with God.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Naturally in my opinion I recommend downloading every song in the entire catalog of this great band, however these 18 songs are an excellent introduction to some of the best "gourmet" music I've ever heard in any genre. Then, you also need to download "Close Your Eyes" and "Closer To Me" from Travel and "Speak To Me Gently" from Twilight and you'll be completely blessed, entertained and challenged by this amazing band.
Kristian Stanfill [Mountains Move] | Posted January-11-2011
Most recently known for his energetic and powerful song “Say Say,” featured on Passion: Awakening, the newest member of the sixstepsrecords’ roster, Kristian Stanfill unveiled his sophomore record Mountains Move. Kristian has been a featured worship leader at the annual Passion conferences, which regularly attract 20,000 university students. Emerging as one of this generation's most compelling worship leaders, he has proven to be an artist with rare insight and vulnerability. Stanfill's fearless lyrics and ear for authenticity infuse his songs with a visceral resonance that connects with listeners on multiple levels. Opening song “Lord Almighty” has a very catchy worship chorus, “You are the Lord almighty, none can stand against Your Name, Your Name has the power to save.” First single “Day After Day” is a stand-out song on the album and one of my new favorite songs. Similar to The Museum’s “My Help Comes From The Lord,” the song is based on the truth of Psalm 121 and Kristian’s passionate vocals are very engaging. What’s great about “Day After Day” is that the song is congregational and hits home with the poignant lyrics “men will try to rule the world You made, but we know power is Yours alone to give and take.” I can’t get enough of the Biblical truth of the song and I love when artists take Gods’ Word from the Bible and turn it into a great and catchy song filled with truth.
“Say Say” and “Like A Lion” keep the worshipful flow going, and are both great upbeat studio recordings of the songs from the last Passion album. “You Will Reign” is the title track and opens with “Oh great God, there’s nothing You can’t do, You speak and mountains move, and we believe.” These are some of the most encouraging, upbeat and relevant worship songs I’ve heard in the past year. “My Reward” slows down the tempo and is a confessional song “You are all I need to know, You are my reward, all I’m living for, I surrender all my life to You, All consuming fire, You are my desire, no One else but You, I surrender all, I surrender all my life to You, all to You my Jesus.” I really connect to the message of the song and I love the bridge “nothing compares to knowing You, nothing compares to loving You, I’m giving my life to follow You my King.” “Always” is another slower tempo confessional song in the style of David’s Psalms. “My foes are many, they rise against me, but I will hold my ground…I will not fear, His promise is true, my God will come through…always.” “Holding My World” is an acoustic ballad and stands out with sincerity and a relatable theme, “I will not worry or fret, my God is the God Who will never forget, all of His goodness and all of His promises, He’s holding my world in His hands.” It is a great reflective song to pray along the words to God when struggling with stress or worry. A musical highlight of the album is next with “Be With You Forever.” The OneRepublic-like electronic pop musical style reminds me of hit songs “I Will Follow” by Chris Tomlin and “Light Up The Sky” by The Afters. “These songs are about having faith in God,” Stanfill notes, “and believing that God is who He says He is, no matter what our circumstances are. There’s a beautiful phrase: ‘Let’s stop living according to the size of our issues and start living according to the size of our God.’ That’s really what the record is saying. The situation might seem impossible, really bleak and dark right now, but remember how big our God is. Remember His promises. That gives you hope.”
CLOSING THOUGHTS
"Lord Almighty" and "Day After Day" are both great worship songs that I can imagine singing with fellow believers. We've sung Kristian's version of "Jesus Paid It All" at my church and many of these songs have that same sincere worship style. This is a great collection of joyful, encouraging worship songs. Other highlights for me are “You Will Reign,” “My Reward,” “Always” and “Holding My World.” I found myself relating to the songs right away and I enjoy singing along in worship. If you like Fee, Charlie Hall, Chris Tomlin and Tim Hughes, you'll enjoy Kristian Stanfill. This is the first “can’t miss” worship album of 2011.
KevinDavis_NRT's Music and Book Reviews 
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