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.
Bethel Music – “The Loft Sessions”
Dec 23, 2011 CD Reviews
Bethel Music
“The Loft Sessions”
12 tracks @ 51:05
Kingsway
Grade = A-
Recorded live in a refurbished rustic loft, Bethel Music gathered friends and family for several nights of worship that set the stage for this new record.
“Incorporating several different musical styles, we wanted to create a new sound, something that shakes the stereotypes of what people might think Bethel Music is,” says Brian Johnson. “The strength of what we accomplished is in the community of artists that came together.”
“It was like stumbling upon a new way to create or write songs,” says Jeremy Riddle. “I’m used to refining songs before going into the production of a record. The writing, refining process for this album all happened during the production, which is kind of unusual, but it worked beautifully!”
With dashes of banjo, tubular bells and other unexpected instruments, this is overall a rather subdued, contemplative record. I enjoyed “You Have Won Me.”
- Rob S.
The link has downloadable song charts.
www.bethelmusic.com/theloftsessions.
Rend Collective Experiment
Dec 23, 2011 CD Reviews
Rend Collective Experiment
“Homemade Worship By Handmade People”
Kingsway
11 tracks @ 45:35
Grade = A
A excellent release of original praise and worship music that was recorded in Irish church halls and homes in the band’s organic, collective style. What I find refreshing about this group is that they don’t believe in being in the limelight.
The following statement is taken from the credits of the band’s newest release;
“We want ‘celebrity-free’ worship where the focus is on the songs and the connection to God that we can experience through them. That’s why we are simply calling ourselves Rend Collective Experiment, and not giving you our individual names.”
I really like what they’ve done with the standard “Be Thou My Vision,” giving it a modern rendition in “You Are My Vision.” “Keep Me Near” is a sonic treat while “Build Your Kingdom” and the horn-driven “Shining Star” should see use in the church-at-large.
- Rob S.
www.rendcollectiveexperiment.com
Kari Jobe – “Where I Find You”
Dec 23, 2011 CD Reviews
Kari Jobe
“Where I Find You”
Sparrow Records
11 tracks @ 54:54
Grade = A
Is it too early to pick a contender for 2012 Best Album of the Year?
Worship leader and Dove Award Nominee for Best New Artist Kari Jobe releases her second record. The very real lyrics often have a reoccurring theme in that God is around even when “it all just falls apart” (Steady My Heart).
“I think there are times as believers when we feel entitled and that life shouldn’t be hard. We live in this culture of convenience that says we can do everything ourselves and find all the answers on Google,” Jobe says. “But if we can learn to fall more in love with the Lord and trust Him in the middle of every storm, we build our endurance to keep running the race.”
“After singing about the importance of making time for intimate worship on my first album, I wanted to take the next step on Where I Find You,” Kari shares. “These songs come from such a honest place of praising God for what He’s done—and what He’s continuing to do in our lives—because of His grace and goodness.
“Ultimately, it’s about declaring who He is and enjoying the simplicity of knowing the Lord is near,” she continues. “He’s for us, He loves us, and sometimes, we need to just stop, enjoy His presence and take that in.”
Stu G of delirious? plays on several tracks. Props to my favorite production credit for Various Random Additional and Supplemental Sonic Material on the song ”Stars in the Sky.”
Jobe is a part of the Winter Jam Tour. She also partners with the A21 Campaign, an organization dedicated to abolishing human trafficking.
“I’ve become really invested in that ministry and strongly believe that we all have to play a role and do our part to fight against the modern form of slavery that affects 27 million people and growing,” Jobe says. “It’s so incredibly dark, and I feel a responsibility to do what I can. Most of these victims are girls like me, and I can’t imagine what life would be like to be stuck in that place.
“Whether I’m participating in an effort like this or leading worship, it’s all about making a difference,” Kari concludes. “That’s the reason I’m doing what I’m doing at this specific moment—to see God’s name lifted high, to encourage the hurt and the broken and to remind everyone to draw close to Him because He really, truly does care about each and every one of His children.”
- Rob S.
Dinner and a Suit – Since Our Departure
Dec 6, 2011 CD Reviews
Dinner and a Suit
Since Our Departure
Grade – A
Dinner and a Suit is a thoughtful indie band formed by Joey Beretta, Jon Capeci, and Anthony Genca. Since Our Departure, is ten tracks long and is their newest album.
Indie music can sometimes all sound the same. One song can run into the rest with no big tempo changes. On the other hand, indie bands that are different and have a unique sound are absolutely fantastic! Diner and a Suit delights me because they are exactly that, they are ambitious and unique.
Since Our Departure is basically a album about what the band has been through since their start. It deals with emotional needs that humans have. A lot of them deal with the struggles of love, both love among people and God’s love.
Dinner and a Suit is a band full of promise, and a delightful indie sound.
Kristi L.
Manic Drive – Epic
Dec 6, 2011 CD Reviews
Manic Drive
Epic
Grade- A+
Something that is epic is something that is amazing, huge, or incredible. A perfect title to Manic Drive’s fourth CD! They present a fantastic message, displaying that we can have fun and rock out, all the while being beacons for Christ. With each CD they push themselves more, and with each CD they give their fans something fresh and radical.
Together, Canadian natives Shawn Cavallo, Keith Comer, and Michael Cavallo form explosive new sound. This trio blends different styles of music to form a high-energy, fresh, and very compelling sound.
Epic is mainly about getting up and living our faith radically. It reminds us that Christianity shouldn’t be a dull and bland faith. Michael Cavallo says, “This is an unprecedented time in history and we are all tired of the stale and mindless. A genuine experience with God is paramount to walking out this life of faith. So many people feel useless or out of place, but we are here to say that we as a generation can shake the world in amazing ways… even through the smallest actions.”
The song “Halo” is an energetic mix of rock, dance, and a touch of hip hop. “I rock my halo” is the main lyrical line that is repeated for the chorus. It’s about how we shouldn’t hide what God’s done with our life, and our “halos” should be a light in the darkness.
“Save A Life” is a challenging song, it challenges listeners in their faith. Lines such as, “It all just seems to change, when you see it as a life to save”, paint a powerful reminder that Jesus is in the life saving business. If Jesus is in the life saving business, and we are his hands and feet, we should be also.
Way to keep living epically Manic Drive!
Kristi L.
