A Fitting Farewell | Posted June-21-2017
The City Harmonic has made quite an impact on worship music with their standout anthems "Manifesto," "Mountaintop, "Holy (Wedding Day)," "A City on a Hill," "Praise the Lord" and "Let There Be Light." The band, consisting of front man Elias Dummer, bassist Eric Fusilier, guitarist Aaron Powell and drummer Josh Vanderlaan, are closing their ministry with this selection of standouts from over their career recorded live in Hamilton, Ontario in Canada.
"My God" kicks off the biblical focus of this collection and is based on Psalm 121. The song is like listening to David crying out to God with a worshipful chorus: "O, my God / I lift my heart up / whether it's whole or broken / good God I know / You're gonna work it out / So on my heart beats to a beat that I put my hope in / the love of my God pouring out." That type of lyrical punch can be found throughout this stellar send-off. I can't get enough of "Maranatha." You'll get swept up in the emotion of the bridge, "for the dark and the light at war in me, Maranatha / for the widowed wife / and the orphaned one / Maranatha."
"Yours" is an unashamed declaration of faith to God. Elias Dummer belts out the sincere chorus "You can have it all / It's Yours / all of it / Yours." What a great reminder that everything we have is a gift from God. That truth is manifested in the "I'm Yours" bridge to close out the song.
"Praise the Lord" proclaims, "Praise the Lord, because in every moment, Jesus Christ is Lord!" Regardless of your circumstances, Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today and forever. As the song asks, "Won't you praise the Lord? / There is grace for today / so praise the Lord." We need to remember that "in every moment / Jesus Christ is Lord."
The gorgeous new song "Honestly," the only never-before-heard track on this album, reminds worshipers that "honestly I need to be broken / of all that I have / all that I need is You." My favorite song by the band, "A City on a Hill," is based on the Beatitudes. I love knowing that in my brokenness, I am actually closer to God.
"Mountaintop" is filled with challenging lyrics: "We'll be the glory of our King / in His Kingdom come / we've been to the mountaintop / we've seen the glory of our God / He's here in the valley low / I feel it in my bones / We are the body of our God." "What I Want" lyrically opens with a great thesis statement for the whole album: "May my life speak louder than words / and what I'm saying is Jesus I'm sure / You're what I want."
The Church can all sing along to "Let There Be Light" with the words "Oh Word of God / let there be light / cut through the dark / Oh let there be light / Oh Word of God / let there be light." It is a great message and song for us to celebrate our freedom from sin based on our faith in Jesus. Their megahit "Manifesto" is the type of song I wish I was singing at my church right now. The song boldly declares a statement of faith: "We believe in the one true God / We believe in Father Spirit Son / We believe that good has won / And all of the people of God sing along / Amen." This worship anthem is just the type of infusion that the church needs with its honesty and bold lyrics.
The Bottom Line: Benediction contains fourteen live renditions of upbeat worship songs that celebrate the musical journey of The City Harmonic. The songs are filled with lyrics that point to the wonders of our God, combined with sweeping melodies and infectious choruses that will be replayed in your mind over and over again. I don't often hear an album that foundationally brings me back to when I wasn't a Christian, what I need to strip away from my religiosity and from my use of "Christianese" language. This selection of songs is a fitting farewell and benediction, sending out listeners to live out these songs.
Introspective and Worshipful | Posted June-14-2017
This entire Mosaic EP by independent artist Gordon Gregory feels seamless and intentional. It is the follow-up to his debut Between Redemption and the Pain. Having grown up in South Africa, Gordon Gregory has a unique outlook on life, and it shows in his songwriting.
I have had the privilege to meet and worship with Gordon, and he truly has a passion for praising our God. Right from the opening track "Good Enough" there is an uplifting reverence and joy in worship. The fresh song has an ambient, folk music flow. I'm really engaged by Gordon's emotional vocals and the deep, prayerful lyrics throughout the album.
The next songs "Places I Can't Follow," "Still" and "Abba Father" continue with an engaging ambient rock musical style. The soothing feel is just one of the many attractions to savor about this introspective worship album. I find that all the songs have me pondering eternity and my purpose, such as in the lyrics "Abba Father, come heal my heart to call You by Your name / Abba Father I need You to redeem the space You claim." Something I enjoy is how the songs include vulnerable and prayerful lyrics with instantly singable hooks, such as the sample of "This is My Father's World" included in "Abba Father."
The standout song "Unfettered" is next. Gordon's tender vocals take you on an emotional journey that gives me goose bumps every time I hear it. The lyrics and vocals are very stirring: "All I know is that when this love captures your soul, you will be unfettered and free."
"Whole" closes out this solid album with a stirring personal prayer about identity which incorporates the album title in the lyrics: "cause nothing's ever worthless in an artist's hands / and I'm a mosaic of a man who's finally found the strength to stand and believe / that I am all of me."
The Bottom Line: I'm drawn to Gordon's sincerity and relatable songwriting. If you want to experience a fresh, deep and completely worshipful album, look no further. I really like Gordon's singing voice as it is very soothing, and his album is great for meditative times of worship. I really enjoy the vibe of this album, and the melodies and lyrics are all solid and biblical. The Mosaic EP is hook-filled with catchy melodies wrapped around very introspective, worshipful and emotional lyrics.
Stellar Worship Offering | Posted April-04-2017
"You are a miracle-working God" sings the gorgeous bridge of "You Came (Lazarus)," led by Amanda Cook. It is just one of the standout songs on Starlight by Bethel Music, available everywhere April 7.
This compilation is unique from the Redding, California based Bethel Church in that it is comprised of songs led by female worship leaders and recorded at Bethel Worship Nights last fall. The voices featured include Jenn Johnson, Amanda Cook, Steffany Gretzinger, Kalley Heiligenthal, Melissa Helser, Kristene DiMarco, Hannah McClure and Francesca Battistelli.
"Starlight" led by Amanda Cook is truly an anointed and inspiring song, filled with biblical language. The song expresses the heart cry and hope of the believer: "You come in close, oh, even as I wait, You come in close." "You Came (Lazarus)" is also led by Amanda Cook and reflects her Biblical yearning to know Jesus with these compelling lyrics, "You came, I knew that You would come / You sang, my heart it woke up / I'm not afraid, I see Your face, I am alive."
Francesca Battistelli leads a new worship song "There's No Other Name" and the Bethel classic "God I Look to You." Both songs are powerful worship anthems. You'll be worshipping our King Jesus right along with Francesca as she sings the bridge: "every knee will bow, every tongue confess, the Name of Jesus."
"Extravagant" and "King of My Heart" are beautiful songs led by Steffany Gretzinger, with "Extravagant" also featuring Amanda Cook. These women all clearly love our Lord and Savior Jesus with all of their hearts, a fact that they are excited to sing about in every song. Those songs and their dependence on God to be the King of our hearts have perfectly poetic biblical descriptions of God, filled with truths that are piercingly difficult to believe all of the time.
In the bridge of "Take Courage," Kristene DiMarco proclaims "You who hold the stars, who call them each by name, will surely keep Your promise to me, that I will rise in Your victory." The theme of Jesus being found in the waiting and reigning as the King of our hearts weaves its way through many of these compelling songs.
The Bottom Line: Starlight is best described as a stellar worship offering with an empowering theme of the Lord's Kingship reigning in our hearts in song after song. The standout songs each feature an engaging and emotive musical style while phrasing biblical truth in a creative, corporate and also personal way, making it my top worship album of the year.
Every song completely focuses me as a listener on joining in praise, worship and adoration of our beautiful King Jesus, with the reminder "You're never gonna let me down," which is in essence the thesis statement of this album. These stellar songs are excellent reminders to cling to our miracle-working God.
Rooted In God's Love | Posted March-15-2017
Powerhouse female vocalist Kerrie Roberts, known for her hit CCM pop songs "No Matter What," "Outcast," "Rescue Me (How the Story Ends)" and "What Are You Afraid Of," is releasing her first ever full-length worship album, Boundless, on March 17. As a pastor's daughter, Kerrie's heart as a worshipper has been heard throughout her albums as her powerful songs "Beautiful to Me," "Savior to Me (Sing Glory)," "In Your Sight" and "Seek Your Face" have all been vertical offerings of praise and worship.
With this album, Kerrie invites listeners into her life by sharing what's on her heart. She dwells on personal musings, lays out spiritual truths and worships God all at the same time. "Life in the Name" starts the album off by introducing one of the main themes: the idea of being home. The song showcases not only Kerrie's gifts as a songwriter, but her shimmering, emotion-laden voice. The song is an infectious celebration of God's faithfulness and celebrates life in the name of Jesus.
Entering into her songs, you can't help but be moved to hear how God has healed her heart and gain insights into God's character as you listen to how she words her prayers of thankfulness and praise. She offers catchy and instantly sing-able melodies such as in the title track "Boundless," which happened while Kerrie was sitting up late with her baby in a state of total exhaustion. She believes the song was divinely inspired: "There's no shore to the ocean of Your love. No ceiling or floor to the power of Your blood. You are boundless."
I can't get enough of the powerful and moving ballad "Echo of the Ages," which is based on my life passage Isaiah 6. You'll be captivated by the melody and message when Kerrie sings "our song of worship rises with the saints who've gone before, the echo of the ages, Holy is the Lord." The song is a gorgeous and gentle reminder that if we have Jesus, we have all we need. I hear an even deeper yearning for God in the song and throughout this incredible album as the song builds to what followers of Jesus will be singing for eternity: "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord Almighty."
"Rooted" beautifully continues the theme of being home on this engaging worship album with her signature introspective style. This can be gorgeous background music, but don't tune out of what Kerrie has to say in each song. The chorus, "I will ever be rooted in You God, ever be rooted in You Lord, ever be rooted in You," is in many ways the thesis statement of this album, which is about being rooted in God's love.
In "By Your Grace," Roberts belts out "Only by Your grace, You break every chain. By Your grace, by Your love, it's only by Your power we overcome." I sing that line along with Kerrie's gorgeous and powerful voice at the top of my lungs. I find it so uplifting to remember in this troubling time where the earth is groaning that the only thing that matters is God's grace.
"Where My Heart Belongs" features a worshipful refrain and Kerrie's strong vocal delivery. When Kerrie passionately sings the song, I hear in her voice a prayer of gratitude and commitment to lift God's Name high and give her gifts back to Him. Kerrie once again isn't performing the song; she is lifting the worshipful and heartfelt words back to our Savior. The modern hymn-like song revisits that theme of being home by proclaiming "This Solid Rock, this is my home, my soul will sing and through it all, You are where my heart belongs."
The Bottom Line: Kerrie Roberts is a uniquely gifted singer/songwriter with a big voice that is memorable and dynamic, yet intimate. Her vocals will soothe your soul, and the vertical lyrics will direct your attention on Jesus. Kerrie Roberts has once again captivated me with her worshipful songs with one of the top worship albums I've ever heard. Her vocals are so strong and pure. Musically and lyrically, Boundless is brilliant. This album brings me closer to God and provides offerings of praise and worship rooted in His love.
Compelling Songs of Hope | Posted February-23-2017
It's been a few years since a movie hit the screen that could compel a variety of artists to lend their voices to a set of unique songs for an "inspired by" soundtrack. The Shack has proved to be a movie that could create just that response, with The Shack: Music From and Inspired by The Original Motion Picture collection boasting offerings from some of contemporary music's finest in a variety of genres.
"Heaven Knows" by Hillsong UNITED enhances the compilation with a call to worship, capturing the essence of Psalm 119: "I will listen to You. For the entry of Your word brings light and understanding to all." Houston's and Taya Smith's gorgeous harmonizing over an alternative and ambient worshipful vibe sets the proper tone for these songs of contemplative, emotional and vulnerable worship, capturing the essence of this album in the bridge: "then sings my soul, how great You love me." These are all eternity-minded tracks as in the face of tragedy and despair, our God in Heaven knows what we need.
"Where Were You" by Francesca Battistelli features another theme found throughout this album: wondering where God can be found in times of pain of suffering. The root of our faith and salvation is God and His Word. You'll be raising your heart and hands in worship along with the honest and prayerful song as Francesca sings "Where were You when my worst fears were coming true? I thought that You would come to my rescue, where were You?" That type of honest questioning is answered later in the song, "When my prayers bounced off the ceiling, I was facing down my demons, when my legs gave out beneath me, I fell into Your arms."
"HARD LOVE" by NEEDTOBREATHE (recast with a feature from Lauren Daigle) is compelling music. The song personifies the band's challenge of standing up for what's right in a dark world. Throughout their last album, the band subtly includes references to the "dance" of life in a few contexts, taking us on the journey of life lessons learned in "HARD LOVE." Bear Rinehart and Lauren Daigle's powerful vocals lift this song to its highest point in the bridge: "When the wolves come and hunt me down, I will face them all and stand my ground, 'cause there's a fire burnin' in me, they will see my strength in this love I found."
"Stars" by Skillet is a great celebratory anthem about what it means to have hope in Christ. Sometimes it is hard to believe that God loves us so much that He knows us intimately, and He wants to fill our hearts with love as promised in Romans 8:38-39 (NIV): "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." That's cause to celebrate and sing out to Him: "You're never too far away, You never show up too late. So here I am lifting up my heart to the One who holds the stars."
"I'll Think About You" by We Are Messengers is the only song from the compilation that can be heard in its entirety in the film, featured in one of the most emotional moments of loss and catharsis. The worship band beautifully captures our need for hope in Jesus and His promise of Heaven for those who love Him and put their faith in Him. That sentiment is expressed in the song: "When I don't know what to believe, I'll believe in You." The thread of God's love and eternity is also found throughout the tracks by Dan + Shay ("When I Pray"), Tim McGraw & Faith Hill ("Keep Your Eyes on Me"), Lady Antebellum ("Lay Your Flowers Down") and for KING & COUNTRY's rendition of "Amazing Grace."
The Bottom Line: This is a completely worshipful and reflective album, providing a reverent compilation of songs as a companion for this stirring film based on the best-selling book The Shack. These fourteen tracks are sung with an amazing passion and with unashamed praise and gratitude for God's faithfulness and love. The eternal love of God is beautifully expressed in these compelling songs of hope, fitting for a movie about the nature of God's love.
Song to Download Now:
"Stars (The Shack Version)" (Get it on iTunes here.)
Moving and Prayerful | Posted January-26-2017
I first heard Ellie Holcomb sing with her husband's band Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors when they opened for NEEDTOBREATHE. Ellie is the daughter of legendary Christian music producer Brown Bannister, so for her music has always been a family business. After two EPs, Magnolia and With You Now, Holcomb's debut full-length album As Sure As the Sun featured the hit songs "The Broken Beautiful" and "Marvelous Light," earning Ellie the GMA Dove Award for Best New Artist. After a three year wait, she returns with a thirteen song sophomore album titled Red Sea Road.
Opening track "Find You Here" is an engaging song with Ellie's passionate vocals setting the tone for this exceptional album. The song is an unashamed declaration of faith based on Philippians 4:4-7, which reminds us that "the peace of God transcends all understanding." Ellie hooked me with the lyrics "but You're asking us to lay our worry down and sing a song instead," which is essentially the thesis statement of this redemptive, biblical and catchy album.
"He Will" has a contemporary pop musical feel. Ellie trusts in the Lord throughout the song, offering her melody and her life as a living sacrifice as she prays boldly with confidence: "He'll bind up the brokenhearted, oh He will, oh He will, / He'll set captives free from darkness, oh He will, oh He will." In this song Ellie references her devotion to the "Man of Sorrows," which she revisits with the stirring closing track by that name.
God 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 "Red Sea Road." Ellie praises the loving and sacrificial attributes of our Savior as she achingly sings "we'll sing to our souls, we won't bury our hope / where He leads us to go is a red sea road / when we can't see the way, He will part the waves / and we'll never walk alone, down a red sea road." Throughout the song she achingly sings "You are faithful," which is a worshipful response to her Savior reflecting the blessed hope of someone who understands the Good News of grace.
I can't get enough of the upbeat song "You Are Loved." Ellie proclaims "you are loved, not because of what you've done / even when your heart has run the other way, nothing's gonna change His love," praising God for giving us the love that sometimes we don't feel we deserve and paving the way for righteousness.
"You Love Me Best" sings of God's unfailing love. The song is loaded with lyrical gems for Christians looking for words to express their deep feelings, knowing that there must be more than the broken relationships we see in this world: "when darkness hems me in, You'll be right where You've always been / closer than the heart within my chest, because You love me best." "Living Water" keeps the vertical praise going with the words "Spirit fill us with living water, we know Your well will not run dry."
"Man of Sorrows" is a gorgeous closer. Ellie achingly sings this tender and prayerful ballad about God's faithfulness. I love the closing words of the album, which acknowledge our need for Jesus: "You overcame my darkness when You walked out of the grave." Amen.
The Bottom Line:
This is a Spirit-filled and emotional listening experience filled with profound lyrical truth. All thirteen songs are catchy, worshipful and biblically inspired. Ellie expresses her prayers to God, allowing listeners to eavesdrop on her vertical offerings and captivating ballads, one of Ellie's strengths. Ellie is an anointed songwriter, and she has a profound way of bringing me closer to God with her poignant words, tender singing and inspirational truths. I get welled up singing along with several of the emotion-laden songs, especially "Find You Here," "Red Sea Road," "You Love Me Best" and "Man of Sorrows." I've been yearning for more "gourmet" songs like these since As Sure As The Sun. Don't hesitate to pick up this great return from one of CCM's top female artists. Ellie brings sincerity and relatable themes that get deeper with each listen. The truly moving and prayerful Red Sea Road is sure to be one of the top albums of the year.
Awe and Wonder | Posted January-25-2017
From my first listen, I was totally captivated by After All These Years by Brian and Jenn Johnson. They are the founding worship leaders of Bethel Music from Redding, California who have brought worshipers everywhere into God's presence with songs like "One Thing Remains," "Forever," "In Over My Head" and "God I Look to You." This album focuses on the central themes of asking God to inhabit our inner being and truly allow the power of the Holy Spirit to sanctify us, along with relying solely on the love of Jesus to mold our hearts and make us more like Him.
"You're here with the grace of a Savior, with the heart of a Father, and You're all we need" sing the gorgeous opening lyrics of "At the Mention of Your Name," led by Jenn. It is one of the standout songs on this compelling collection. "Only Jesus" led by Brian Johnson features an engaging and soothing musical style. The song includes a refrain for the believer looking for words to express their devotion: "Let my heart want for nothing but You, just You. The riches of this world could never satisfy, let my heart want for only You, Jesus." The song is emotive and poetic prayer of devotion to our Savior.
Believing the words of the song "Gravity" led by Jenn is a great way to work on the disciplines of self-examination and prayer. You can know Jesus personally. Reach out to Him and know with certainty that "perfect love casts out fear." You'll be blessed by this powerful song, which is a stand-out anthem with a convicting declaration: "Your gravity pulls me close to You and I can breathe again / Here with You, there's nothing more to say, it's clear what matters to You."
I can't get enough of the stand-out song "I Won't Forget," led by Brian. His tender, emotive and powerful vocals take listeners on an emotional journey that gives me goose bumps every time I hear it. "Here I Bow" has a gorgeous musical flow and a confessional proclamation: "So here I bow to lift You high, Jesus, be glorified, in all things, and for all my life, I am Yours, forever Yours."
"After All These Years" led by Brian is a great new worship anthem which I hope I'll be singing with fellow believers. I really love how expressive these songs are, allowing listeners to reflect on profound words like "After all these years You've never given up / After all these years, You're constant with Your love / It amazes me, after all You've done / it amazes me, You're still running after us."
The Bottom Line:
These are all stand-out tracks filled with overwhelming biblical truth, and they are companions in my personal prayer and worship time. The theme of trusting God completely weaves through all the songs, a message that all believers need to hear. After All These Years is best described as a worship experience with an ethereal tone, and it's sure to be one of the top worship albums of the year. Brian and Jenn sing songs with an amazing passion, with unashamed praise and gratitude to our Savior.
These moving and reverent recordings are all prayers and personal confessions of submission to God. These are great songs to pray along with these anointed worship leaders and express your own yearnings for holiness and God's presence. I've been impressed by the consistent quality and fresh worshipful songs that come from Bethel Music, and this album is no exception. After All These Years is about proclaiming the majesty of God and crying out in awe and wonder for His Presence, and it's a must-have for your praise and worship collection.
Seeing the Love | Posted January-23-2017
From my first listen, I wanted to tell others about this great new album All Is Not Lost by The Brilliance. The New York-based duo is comprised of David Gungor and John Arndt. This album immediately reminded me of my favorite emotional indie worship artists like Gungor, All Sons & Daughters and Citizens & Saints, who have released my favorite "gourmet" worship songs and albums the past few years.
All Is Not Lost includes standout recordings like the sing-at-the-top-of-your-lungs anthems "Turning Over Tables" and "Hear The Prayers" and the reflective and worshipful vibe of "Gravity of Love," "Night Has Passed," "See The Love" and "Will We Ever Rise." The project opens with "Oh Earth" and flows into "Gravity of Love" which has a worshipful flow opening with the Psalm 121-based lyrics: "I lift my eyes up to the hills, this my morning song, where my help comes from." The song builds to an exciting refrain that stirs my soul to cry out "This is the gravity of love, just as the moon follows the sun / You're all around me, You're holding everything."
I'm really engaged by the emotional vocals and the sincere, enthusiastic and biblical lyrics throughout the album. "Night Has Passed/Morning Has Broken" is layered with a hopeful, string-laced musical style reminiscent of "Beautiful Things" by Gungor. The song will have you singing along in one listen. The song beautifully transitions to the familiar "Morning Has Broken" chorus and flows seamlessly back to the original praise chorus "in the gift of this day, we rejoice!"
As if those opening tracks didn't grab me emotionally enough, along comes the incredibly moving song "See the Love," which I have been listening to daily as a prayer and balm for my soul in this uncertain time we live in. "I want to see, I want to see the love all around you, I want to know that love is all around you" is the refrain of the beautiful and prayerful song, which is in essence the thesis statement of this Christ-centered album. The poignant lyrics begin with "every day we go to war again, we assume we know so much more than them, before we hear what they have to say." The song is so spot-on with its observations of how we live and hurt others with our lack of love. My prayer for this song and album is that all of us can make these the words we live by. Like David and John, "I want to know that love is all around you, see how it lights you up."
"Turning Over Tables" continues the message of the love that Jesus calls us to have with a catchy melody, and it is sung as an anthem for the believer: "love is turning over tables, tearing down walls, building up the bridges between us all." The bridge of the song, "when will we stand for love?" is yet another reminder of our call to love one another.
I can't get enough of the stand-out song "Hear The Prayers." David's emotive vocals and the exciting synth-rock musical bed take me on an emotional journey that causes me to excitedly worship along with the stirring love-inspired lyrics with the prayer "turn our hearts to You, make us one... love shall overcome."
From the beginning notes of "Will We Ever Rise," I was hooked by the reflective musical vibe and prayerful message. The song declares bold confessional and faith statements: "Broken people we can be made whole / as we lay down our weapons, open up our hearts / love is breaking us." The song is a gorgeous offering with the biblical reminder to "forgive as You forgave."
"Who is Jesus" has an urgent call, with David displaying Isaac Slade's (The Fray) style of emotive vocals with the challenging refrain "God save us all, forgive us / we are blind to what we do." It is another prayerful expression of our need for Jesus, the face of God, to live in us, and the song includes yet another catchy musical bed.
The Bottom Line:All Is Not Lost is a great collection of confessional and authentic expressions of faith. The songs are all poignant and powerful. There are no filler tracks, and this is easily one of my top "gourmet" albums of the year. If you want to experience an uplifting, soul-stirring, stunning and worshipful album, look no further than The Brilliance. My favorite songs are "Gravity of Love," "Night Has Passed," "Turning Over Tables," "Hear The Prayers," "Will We Ever Rise," "Who is Jesus" and "See The Love," which has quickly become one of my all-time favorite songs.
These songs will certainly connect with listeners and showcase the multi-talented band's trademark balance of vocal tenderness, lyrical intensity, beautiful and stirring musical arrangements and, above all, songs with a sense of hope and inspiration. This is my first can't-miss release of the year and sure to be one of my top worship albums of the year. All Is Not Lost is all about finding peace by living out the words of the songs, convicting me to cry out "I want to see the love" in my fellow brothers and sisters.
Love Is The New Fight | Posted October-12-2016
This long awaited new fourth studio album TANKS by Satellites & Sirens has captivated my spirit. The album includes standout recordings like the sing-at-the-top-of-your-lungs anthems "TANKS" and "Wildfire," along with the reflective vibe of "Who We Are" and "Old Souls." From my first listen, I wanted to tell others about this great new album which immediately reminded me of some of my favorite emotional alternative rock artists like Jimmy Eat World, The Killers and The Rocket Summer.
The project opens with "Hey (This is the Life)," which has a celebratory vibe and builds to an exciting refrain that stirs my soul to cry out loudly "Hey, this is the life." I'm really engaged by Geoff Hunker's emotional vocals and the sincere, enthusiastic and thought-provoking lyrics throughout the album.
"Who We Are" is a great song about releasing the burdens of guilt and shame that we carry and finding our true identities. The song will have you singing along in one listen. "Chasing Photos" has insightful life-lessons about transparency and identity not being based on chasing the perfect social media photos, a timely reminder in our culture.
"TANKS" is an upbeat, hooky rock song that represents the theme of this uplifting album with the bridge, "love is the new fight." These are some of the strongest lyrics I've heard by this talented band, all in extremely catchy songs. Geoff's emotive vocals and the exciting musical bed takes me on an emotional journey that causes me to excitedly worship along with the stirring lyrics every time I hear the song. In our society filled with war, bullying and a lack of care for others, this anthem is the cry of my heart with the much-needed call to action message for Christians: "Weʼre taking love to the front lines, where the heart beats louder than the cry for war, and like tanks you can trust, we will crush everything with love."
All of these songs are poignant and powerful with earnest, worshipful lyrics. "Old Souls" features Ronnie Petkovich with introspective lyrics and a beautiful refrain, with Geoff displaying an emotive vocal style similar to The Fray's Isaac Slade. It is yet another reflective track including a catchy musical vibe, a combination which can be found throughout the rest of the album in the standout tracks "Stereo," "Enough" feat. Joel Vaughn and previously released single "Wildfire."
Closing Thoughts:
Satellites & Sirens are back with TANKS, one of my top alternative rock albums of the year from both the Christian and mainstream music markets. Their list of influences includes Jimmy Eat World, The Killers and 80s music, and they are a fantastic blend of those musical styles. I truly enjoyed their first three albums and the stand-out hit songs "Jump Start My Heart," "Anchor" and "Take Me Back." If you liked those songs, you'll love this new album. TANKS is one of the catchiest, most energetic and emotionally engaging alternative rock albums I've heard this year, and a reminder that "love is the new fight."
Loved, No Matter What | Posted September-06-2016
Citizens & Saints hooked me with their unique brand of gourmet alternative rock-infused worship with their stirring debut Citizens, which released while they were part of Mars Hill Music in Seattle. That project, the song "Made Alive" and the band name are all based on Ephesians 2. That type of bold exclamation about the truth of the grace of Jesus can be found in each of their albums, with "You Brought Me Back to Life" and "The Mighty Hand of God" keeping that vibe going in their sophomore release Join the Triumph, one of my top 10 worship albums of 2014.
I didn't think this incredibly talented band could take it up another notch until I heard the infectious electronic musical hook and passionate lyrics of "Faith" from their new third release, A Mirror Dimly. The song is a beautiful depiction of the biblical concept of "walking by faith and not by sight," with lead singer Zach Bolen passionately singing "I'm putting faith in someone I can't see / this is the promise of my hope, that I am loved as one of His own... / faith is true sight, see with new eyes, taste of His life!"
After enduring the dissolution of Mars Hill church in Seattle, the band has truly been living in faith and trusting in God to help them see His plans through the fog of "a mirror dimly" reflecting. The song "Relent" captures this profession of faith with the refrain "I relent, You can have it all / this life is not my own / I surrender all I have to follow You."
"Day by Day" is the middle track and ties the songs together, professing "bought with blood paid on a tree, I am not who I was, now I am who I am, a sinner saved, a stumbling saint." That applies to each of us who are citizens and saints of Heaven when we remember the gift of His grace, that as followers of Jesus we are a sinner saved... day by day. It is a great reminder of what's most important.
Our identity as God's "Kids" is poetically described as Zach sings out, "He raised us up when we were dead in our graves, He bought us with the blood of His Son / He washed us clean, He's claimed us as His daughters and sons... we are kids of grace." That's what living in grace is all about, reverently celebrating grace: God's Riches at Christ's Expense.
Closing Thoughts:
For me, this is easily the top worship album of the year. We were all created to worship, and this album gives us several creative and biblically-based expressions. As sung in "How Majestic," we can conclude together in Christ "all is well, mercies are new this day, oh Lord our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth."
From the truth of "Your ways are not my ways" in "Madness" to "rejoice and be glad in Him" in "My Joy Complete," this album is loaded with prayerful language that will encourage you and lift high the majestic name of Jesus. While we can't see everything in our fallen world through life's mirror dimly obscuring grace and truth, this album will remind you we are God's "Kids" and "loved no matter what" to help you overcome your "Doubting Doubts."
KevinDavis_NRT's Music and Book Reviews 
