Praise Adonai! What a way to start this incredible album. I love the journey that this new project, from Integrity Music, takes. One of the unique things about this album is that it is the first album in a very long time (perhaps since 'Father's House' from Brian Doerksen) that seriously considers the listener in the song sequence, laying out a well developed progression of intimacy, drawing us into the courts of praise and worship of our God. But this opening cut is far too overwhelming to worry about the rest of the album... so, let's 'Praise Adonai!'
The writing talents of Paul Baloche come to us in the ebb and flow of the country/rock instrumentation that is this well crafted call to worship in 'Praise Adonai'. Inquiring of us with the rhetorical phrase 'who is like Him', we see Jesus as:
The Lion and the Lamb
Seated on the throne
Mountains bow down
Every ocean roars
To the Lord of Hosts
Like the Psalms and Proverbs, Baloche proclaims the unchangeable paradox of God's character (the Lion and the Lamb), pushing us into the view from the heavens. Then, as he surveys the kingdom from this view (Seated on the throne), we see such power, in profound simplicity of word, that our hearts and voices launch unstoppably into the chorus, 'Praise Adonai'. Giving away any more of the lyrics would simply script the entire song for you, since it is as terse as it is powerful. The unfortunate thing about this song is that it has such appeal it threatens to keep many a CD player on long term loop, keeping the listener away from the other gems of this well produced studio project.
Moving on to the second and third songs, Paul Baloche teams up with Ed Kerr to pen some upbeat songs of great praise expression. These songs connect musically and lyrically. The lyrical connection is made in that both songs detail a modern day chorus for Psalm 47, in which we see God ascending amidst the shouts of people and sounds of music.
And if God is indeed enthroned in our praises, then the delight of His presence being made manifest in our times of celebration are made all the more evident through 'I Love To Be In Your Presence', and 'Sing Out'. Both these are earlier works for Baloche, and they get a well deserved update in production with these tracks.
Though this project is a tribute of sorts to Baloche's prolific songwriting, it could have just as easily been a thematic album, showing how an extended worship and praise time can be woven into a thoughtful trek of devotion and exaltation to our God.
Entering into 'Falling', 80's fans will recognize a page from the softer musical side of the sound of 'the Police'. Another collaboration, this song is co-written with UK writer Brenton Brown, whose contributions have been on such noted albums as Vineyard's 'Winds of Worship 12- Live from London' and 'Hungry'. My guess is that 'Falling' was something of an experiment, but instead of flopping into dead CD space, this song 'Falls' effortlessly into the ears of God, as genuine adoration expressed in love ballad style. Very nice! When we come to the song 'Above All', the theme is pure adoration, where simple arrangements replace guitars and drums with piano sounds and string backgrounds. It is simple, and powerful.
The trek of well-worn songs hits full stride with 'Revival Fire Fall'. The CD cover copy says this is 'funky, folksy', but I call it just intense! Not since the searing fiddle backdrops in 'Praise Adonai' has our tour taken us to such powerful undertones (and oh, btw, just thinking about 'Praise Adonai' again, should be enough to make you turn back to it for another listen). The contrast, however, is that while 'Praise Adonai' creates its energy through subtlety and understatement, 'Revival Fire Fall' simply pummels you with burning desire to participate in seeing God's revival fire fall!
I am sure you are wondering why I don't discuss the title track of this project, but it hardly seemed like much more could be said about Open The Eyes of My Heart, that the church at large has not already said. With the worldwide acceptance of that song, you hardly need the 3 cuts of it on the CD, though you certainly won't find it unlikable.
There is much more to this CD, but without ranting on each of the considerably exceptional songs on this project, I want to get right to my favorite song of this great collection- 'Celebrate the Lord of Love'! Like 'Praise Adonai', this song builds its arrangements using superb dynamics to propel you into abandon. By the time this song is vamping into the key change, you are lifting up your praise with outstretched arms and dancing around your kitchen, I guarantee it! Don't miss this song, or you will miss my #1 reason for playing this CD for hours on end in my CD ROM drive.
There will definitely be something everyone will like about this CD, but I guarantee you that a listen through the whole thing will be time in heavenly praise. The songs, the production, and the track sequence make this an easy selection for my Editor's Choice Award.
Product Link Open The Eyes Of My Heart - Paul Baloche
Enjoy! Kim Gentes