Refreshing, enthralling, and God-ward! That is the rapturous sounds of "Draw Near To Me", the independently released devotional music project from Scott Brenner. The CD is sub-titled "Intimate, devotional worship for your quiet time". This is the perfect by-line description of this project.
The lyrical content of the project is prayerful (I Want To Be Holy), scripture themes (Changed by The Mere Reflection), and sometimes direct scripture quotes (O God You Are My God). Simplicity is woven into these lyrics, giving the church gifts of excellent songs for devotion.
The purity and integrity of Scott's love for Christ comes through in his voice and music, as though you are sitting in a room with him and everyone is lifting up Jesus. Melodic and rich, the CD takes a trek of invitation (Longing for the Day) to prayer (O God You Are My God/ Psalm 63) to intimacy (In Silence I Wait) and finally thankfulness (Thank You Lord).
This CD is notably soft music, laying the heart and soul of Scott's prayer's before God with care and kindness. It isn't rushed, and it isn't loud- it is intimate, and it is soft. This CD certainly reminds me of his earlier work on the Vineyard project "Before You Now" (second half of that project). Yet, this project is even more pensive, more intimate.
The thing that made me fall in love with this CD was the music and the arrangements. And perhaps not in the way you might think! The power of this project was the simplicity and care that was taken in giving it lots of strength with a few instruments. Using the guitar, keyboards, a cello and oboe, this project stays uncluttered- and it SHINES! Those of us used to listening to praise and worship music are used to the ever-present bass guitar- but not here! This CD is the first indie project I have heard that absolutely does away with the bass guitar and thrives because of it. I know this might sound strange, but the breadth of instrumentation with just the oboe, cello, guitar and piano give a wonderful diversity in relative simplicity. The occasional visit of electric guitar and some drums and percussion (all without a bass guitar present) make a few songs accented perfectly for some variety to the ear.
You will be turned toward the Lord immediately as "Longing for the Day" begins this project off, and we share an invitation to Christ for His return. Each song leads effortlessly into the next on this whole project. The fourth song (and title track), "Draw Near To Me", is a wonderful invocation song calling out in the theme of the Davidic devotional prayers for the Lord to have our daily lives from the early morning to the "never-ending". The tenth track, "We Cry Glory", is my favorite song of this CD. It's pacing, vocals and instrumentation become so rich (yet well spaced) it reminds me of the intensity of purity and precision of devotion that I first heard from a John Michael Talbot album- different musical framing, but deeply and similarily focused. The CD ends on a unified praise and thanksgiving that brings up such a heart of gratitude, you will find yourself singing "Jesus I Love The Way You Are".
This CD get's my "Editor's Choice" award from Worshipmusic.com.
A great project!
Product Link Draw Near To Me - Scott Brenner
Review by Kim Gentes.