All Roads Lead to Worship
The Best Alternative Routes of 2001

Over the past eighteen months or more there has been an upward trend in Christian music sales. Much of this is credited to the new found popularity of Modern Worship. However worship isn't just a genre it's a way of life, and an intense love for God. There are many ways that this love can be expressed and the following projects from 2001 are superior examples of worship music.

John Cox
"80 Years"
www.coxrox.com

John Cox is a simple man, born and raised in the small town of Chico, TX. In school he studied trumpet and fiddle before he decided that it was "cooler" to play guitar. For a while John toured with a band playing secular music throughout Texas. After a close call with eastern mysticism and cults John came to know Christ as his savior. Now John has tuned his talents into an art that is intended to glorify God.

John's second independent release ("80 Years") is as much a worship album as it is a rock album. His writing is simple, straight forward, and poetic. The musical arrangements have a classic rock sound that's not too busy with loops and programing. The chorus of "80 Years" has been engraved in my mind. It comes back at times when I'm thinking about how time is short and how important it is to share the gospel with others. "Live My Life" is a song about giving thanks to God for the gift of Christ. "80 Years" continues to please track after track with spiritually impacting lyrics.

Currently John is working on several new songs which were recently taken to MIDEM, a large music conference in Cannes, France. Hoping to garner some international publishing attention for John. John is also working on putting together a road band and will hopefully be back on tour soon!

Breakin'the Bondage Blues Band
"We've Come To Have Church"

Blues music has always been emotionally influential. Commonly dwelling on feelings of sadness or brokenness. Rev. Bob McCarton and friends put B4 together to celebrate and praise the Lord through Blues music. "We've Come To Have Church" is a foot stomping, hand clapping good time. The tracks are inspired by the book of Psalms and Solomon and could easily liven up a bible study.

The title track starts the adventure off with a call to arms: get up and clap your hands.

"In the worship spirit of King David, 'We've Come to Have Church!'"

-Rev Bob McCarton

The blues guitar sound is very prevalent on "Sinner Man" and songs like "Revival" spark a feeling of renewal. "Livin' For Christ" and "Thank You For Dyin'" are worshipful tunes that are closer to traditional blues songs, soft and full of feeling. There is superior musicianship throughout the CD that intensifies the blues-ish lyrics.

Tarra Scotton & Strong Tower (TS&ST)
"I Wanna Thank You"
www.zopro.com

Urban-Gospel with a twist of Jazz best describes TS&ST. At the time of production all but two members were under the age of 18. There is an amazing amount of talent that can only improve with experience. Tarra Scotton herself has been singing professionally for more than fifteen years, and her vocals are emotionally charged and pleasingly chilling. Backing up Tarra are Strong Tower members Eric Green Jr (Drums and primary writer), Norwood Long (Bass), Reggie Rice (Keyboards), Irvin Washington (Keyboards), Darla Logan (Back-up Vocals), Caryn Ross (Back-up Vocals), and Tanesha Smith (Back-up Vocals).

Lyrically the tracks on "I Wanna Thank You" are drawn from the scriptures. The title track itself is a worshipful song, praising God for all that He has done. "Visions Of Christ" is a smooth testimony of the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. Two instrumental tracks: "Mission Not Impossible," and "God's Untitled Praise" exemplify the talents of the young musicians.

The last of the main body of musicians will be graduating from High School this year, after which the band is hoping to start touring in a wider area. The group is also searching for a new label that is more focused on Contemporary Gospel. Their current label, Zopro, promotes a wide variety of musical genres. Label president Mike Patruzzi believes in the band but states his main concern, "... it has occurred to us that we may not be able to do complete justice to the bands considerable talents."

apt.core
"Rhythms of Remembrance"
www.aptcoremusic.com

"Rhythms" is the most forward thinking CD of 2001, a first of its kind. Producer Will Hunt takes electronic world music and fuses it with scriptures. Believing that by using this trance like music he will help people to focus on the Word. Hunt realized that world music has a way of drawing people in and he wished to inject worship by using the energy of world music.

Creative and rare. That's what best describes "Rhythms of Remembrance." Its a whole new realm of worship that is truly "cutting edge." Most superb are "Blessed," a rhythmic reading of Matthew 5:3-10, and "Remain In Me." "Remain In Me" is an electronic interpretation of John 15:5. Also "40", injecting Psalm 40 in a dance track, has been nominated for the 2001 Dove Award in the category of Rap/Hip Hop/Dance Recorded Song of the Year.

It's difficult to describe the uniqueness of this project. It proves that worship can come in many forms.

Rock 'n' Roll Worship Circus
"Big Star Logistics"
www.worshipcircus.com

Even though the Worship Circus is considered to be in the modern worship genre, they are at least a step or two outside of that box. Coming from the Christian hard rock underground, they are highly creative and forward thinking. The best worship albums combine edifying lyrics and energetic music to inspire and the Worship Circus does this with great intensity.

Finest of all is "Undiscovered," a song with few words and a thunderous soundtrack, like Sonicflood meets Pink Floyd. As soon as this track starts, like one of those dancing toys that move to the beat of the music, I feel an uncontrollable urge to dance, much like David danced. Leading into "Undiscovered" is "Open the Gates," another simple song with few words and a powerful message. The moog tracks laid on top of this simple ballad ramp you up for the intensity of "Undiscovered."

On "I Will Wait," low end specialist Blur, takes over the lead vocals. Turning out an entrancing proclamation of faith. "Sweet Jesus" and "See the Lord Is Coming" are lower keyed love songs that capture the feeling of worship. The spirit revealed in these two songs alone make "Big Star Logistics" the best of its kind. This is not commercial or cookie cutter worship in any respect.

Aside from releasing the best praise and worship album of 2001, the Worship Circus had a very eventful year in many other aspects. While taking a daring dive off of a cliff, guitarist Solo injured himself and left the group wondering what their future held. One thing they were sure of was God. "We had to totally depend on Him for EVERYTHING," stated Gabriel. Recently the Rock 'n' Roll Worship Circus has signed with Vertical Music, an offshoot of integrity Music. Vertical will release their new CD this May, titled "Welcome to the Rock and Roll Worship Circus."

When asked about the future of the Rock 'n' Roll Worship Circus Gabriel gave this humbling statement;

With our record coming out this May, we can't even imagine what is going to happen next. In fact, we are trying really hard NOT to imagine what'll happen next! We're just going to keep doing what we do, and wherever God calls us to go, we'll go. Pray for us that we'll have the strength to worship Him in ALL situations ,with all and more of the humility and wisdom it takes to be faithful to a God who is so good...

I strongly encourage you dear reader to go out and seek new ways to revive your worship. I'll close with a most fitting verse, Ephesians 5:19-20.

... speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,...