Elevation Worship – “For the Honor”
Jan 10, 2012 CD Reviews
Elevation Worship
“For the Honor”
Essential Worship
14 tracks @ 73:13
Grade = A-
This is the first national release from this Charlotte, NC based worship ministry. The church is making quite an impact in its local area, as Elevation Church has more than 10,000 people at six locations across the area.
Worship Pastor Wade Joye says, “We have seen God do the impossible in our church time and time again, and we consider it such an honor to give voice through these songs to the great things He has done. Our prayer is that all who hear this project will be inspired to believe the that Lord can do the same in their own lives and churches.”
It’s modern worship, with all originals. The songs are vertical, filled with hope and light, but typical for the genre.
- Rob S.
Casting Crowns – Come To The Well
Jan 10, 2012 CD Reviews
Casting Crowns
Come To The Well
Grade – A
Georgia-based band, Casting Crowns has long been a staple in the Christian music scene, providing listeners with music that reaches deep into their hearts and lives. Each song in the band’s impressive discography has been soundly rooted in the gospel and presents it in a way that is both attractive and completely relevant for today’s audience. “Come to the Well” is an open invitation for all believers to find their savior, as the band tackles some tough subjects and proclaims God’s love, mercy, and hope for the world to hear.
“Courageous”, which was featured in the big summer hit of the same name, is an energetic, resounding call for believers to take their faith to a new level. Listeners are encouraged to break out of their comfort zone and to be transformed from “watchers” to “warriors”. It’s a powerful and thought-provoking wakeup call that sets the tone for the rest of the album.
Throughout the album, the band plays with a few different musical styles, especially evident in “Spirit Wind”. The song tells the story of Ezekiel parable-style, comparing the physical drought he saw to the spiritual drought seen in many churches today. There are some more folk / country tones found here, and the band pulls it off really well.
“Just Another Birthday” is a beautiful, emotional ballad that is sure to tug on the heart strings of many. The slow piano-driven track recounts the journey of a young, single mother as she looks back at her life before and after she met Christ. It’s a bold, personal song, and I can see it touching lives in a real, powerful way.
“Come to the Well” continues the band’s rich tradition of providing messages of hope and love to a world in need. Long-time fans will find everything they’ve come to love and more with several radio-friendly songs. Casting Crowns’ music can’t help but inspire and draw us all closer to God. They get what’s most important, and they share it with the world – ministry is their priority and it shows.
- Tom F.
Matt Maher – The Love In Between
Jan 10, 2012 CD Reviews
Matt Maher
The Love In Between
Grade – A
Matt Maher’s last release “Alive Again” made worship music accessible and catchy. It brought the profound to a level that made sense to listeners and the worshipful moments left something to ponder – to apply. “The Love In Between” continues to paint the gospel in a relevant way with a bold, new sound.
“Rise Up” country-influenced opener, kicks the album off on a strong note reminding listeners that hope can find them no matter what their circumstances might be. “All the lambs are all like lions and all the prisoners break their chains. All the poor find their treasure, ‘cause Heaven is coming this way.” Themes of hope and redemption are vividly painted throughout this track – an excellent way to start an album.
The messages of hope and redemption are continued in “Turn Around”. Matt reminds listeners that once they’ve hit rock bottom, the only way to turn is up. “If you’re lost and you need to be found / all you’ve gotta do is turn around.”
“On My Way” is definitely my personal favorite track. The message of salvation by faith alone is colorfully painted, drenched in rich, southern rock tones complete with a dancing harmonica solo. It’s infectiously catchy and will have Jeremy Camp and Third Day fans singing along for sure.
Matt’s new album really caught my attention. He’ stepped out of his comfort zone and into a fresh, bold new sound, yet his profound, unwavering message remains. Overall, the album features a strong, fun, southern rock sound, which I found refreshing and exciting.
- Tom F.
Phil Wickham – Response
Jan 10, 2012 CD Reviews
Phil Wickham
Response
11 songs, 36 minutes
Grade – A+
For the past five years, Phil Wickham has set the bar high for worship music with his mixture of acoustic melodies, singable choruses, and beautiful lyrics. Response follows directly in the same vein with more of an airy pop sound, but all the talent fans have come to expect from the San Diego songwriter.
The album begins with back to back upbeat tracks “Heaven Fall Down” and “Joy” which segue nicely into “One God”, a dance-y, fun chorus reminiscent of several tracks from Wickham’s last album Heaven & Earth. “This Is The Day” calls Christians to action to boldly proclaim the gospel to a lost world. “All I Want Is You” and “All I Am” are slightly slower, but both fit perfectly with their messages of surrender and desire for more of God to shine through. Perhaps one of the best songs on the album, “Sun and Moon” features a slight build with each verse and beautiful lyrics about reflecting God’s love. The closing track “The Victory” ends the album perfectly by once more proclaiming Christ’s victory over death and gift of eternal life.
Overall, Response is a beautiful story of the heart’s response to God’s love. Phil Wickham has once again created a worshipful masterpiece that will please both longtime fans and new listeners alike.
- Elise F.
Rush of Fools – We Once Were
Jan 10, 2012 CD Reviews
Rush of Fools
We Once Were
12 songs, 45 minutes
Grade – B+
We Once Were is the third studio album from the acoustic/pop band Rush Of Fools, but the first album since they signed to a new label. Along with the new label, the band brings a whole new rock sound to their music that brings them from slightly generic to edgy and unique and proves that indeed, Rush Of Fools are indeed not who they once were.
The album starts with the title track, an upbeat anthem about the change Christ brings to a life and never going back to who we once were. The next track carries the same energy with a bit of a electronic sound, and is a plea for God’s grace, with the chorus “You’re calling the sheep gone astray, I pray you’ll leave the 99 – come find me.” Other highlights of the album include the radio single “Grace Found Me”, an acoustic worship song more reminiscent of their old sound, and “Help Our Unbelief”, a prayer for faith in dark times complete with a 40-second instrumental introduction.
Of all the albums Rush Of Fools has released, We Once Were is by far their most exciting and diverse and shows immense growth since their debut in 2007. Some of the songs seem a bit weak and unmemorable, but the messages of hope, grace, and mercy are evident through every lyric. Although not my usual style, the album definitely made me a fan, and I can’t wait to hear where this band will go in the future.
- Elise F.
