Snap, pop, crackle, flood. Not words that normally go together. But then, sometimes things don’t go as planned. Such was the case for this afternoon. I sat down. Threw in the latest Club CD of new songs releasing from the Vineyard churches. Snap! I’ll dispense with the usual oblique comments meant to accommodate for the fact that the review may have different tastes than the reader/listener, or in fact be wrong. I’ll go on record- this project snaps and crackles the moment you put it on.Track one is Folks Like Us, an unashamed return to the countryfied rock sound. Since I had just listened to some old projects, I actually thought it hit almost dead on with the sound of the 1999 Vineyard project, The Burn Service. It’d be hard to sound more like Bruce Springsteen or John Mellencamp, unless you got them to sing lead. Great, Americana rock. Lyrics are well-matched with earthy nouns, that paradoxically soar in declaration of God’s greatness towards us, and our need for Him, as His children. Very well done.
Track two and three moves on to the pop in this project. Absolutely a perfect blend of adoration and glorification in the lyrical mixture of the song Furious. Production is clearly meant to match Jeremy Riddle’s pop-ready vocals with Furious (track 3) and The Lord Is My Shepherd (track 4) making the entire album soar with radio-ready listening. These two tracks are spectacular, though track 4 remains arranged out of bounds for most congregations. The songs are truly excellent, though, so don’t miss these. Passionate, singable (in simple form) and engaging. Plus, there is some excellent scripture and theology writing here, especially in The Lord Is My Shepherd, which is a beautiful new rendition of Psalm 23.
The next two tracks, Form Us and Worthy, are songs co-written by Casey Corum and Anabeth Morgan. This is where the flood comes in. These are studio track recordings that are core renditions for easy learning and reproduction in local churches. While there is nothing fancy on the production of these songs, there is nothing lacking here either. Form Us is a pensive, prayerful, surrender song that beautifully calls on God while agreeing with His will, much in the same way that Jesus taught us to pray in Matthew 6 (Your will be done). Worthy is old fashion rock sounds on one of the core messages of the Book of Revelation- “Worthy are You, Lord”. In a building verse/bridge/chorus sequence this song builds into a powerful exaltation of the worthy Lord.
With track 6 comes my favorite new song of this new album- One Thing Remains. Written by songwriters at Bethel Church, this version is a live recording of the song from a recent Vineyard conference. The production is stripped back to a true live arrangement that works for the conference, local churches and the recording. Building on what is a great musical song, Casey Corum lifts the vocals and energy of the song to a powerful anthem. While this isn't my favorite arrangement of this song, it feels the most accessible for local church use.
After another song by Jeremy Riddle on track six (taken from the Bethel Music “Be Lifted High” album), the next four tracks are from a series of live recordings from the Cultivation Generation conference/event. Pounding anthem, surrender songs that lift up God’s glory, I Am Yours and Your Mercy are clean, straightforward rock, with lots of energy and passion. Again, lyrics and melody are strong.
This is especially true of Your Mercy, which is a refreshed Vineyard song from 2005. If you haven’t reviewed this song before, don’t miss this fresh revision of it. Very good. In fact, what I love about this album is that many of the songs here are really given extended time to breath into full congregational worship expressions, rather than the standard 4 minute clippings we often hear from worship recordings. This is very refreshing and encouraging. The project then moves to another surrender song “Nothing Else”, calling on God to change and shape us. Again, the prayer and spoken elements of this song give an experience which the listener can enter into without being rushed off to the next 3.5 minute track. Thank you!
The album concludes with two songs from David Linhart, a very gifted musician and lyricist. While not a typical “worship” style you might expect, David’s songs are beautiful stories of love, hope and God’s character. I love this mix of grace in a recording collection like this. Linhart’s surprising two-step collage on Straight From the Source has a soothing effect that still has the truth ringing around in my head that “we have true hope straight from the source”. Linhart’s reggae background bubbles to the surface, helped by a story-talking blues style with the final cut God Don’t Never Change. Most folks won’t be playing these last two songs in church, but there is a quality of grace on the songs that encourages the soul. Thank you Vineyard!
There is a full 8 songs on this project that I personally would like to do. That is the most in a very long time from a single album. While the project is a true "collection" with some different sounds and styles tossed in, it feels like the most "alive" project from Vineyard in a while. Yes the music is good, but more than that, it evokes one to worship in a way that is appropriate for a "worship" album. Go figure. The leaders of each song sound like they are within their element, comfortable, yet daring to pursue God in a way which is not apologetic. I appreciate that.
Product link: Folks Like Us (Vineyard Club 73)
The entire album, songs, audio and chord charts are already available for subscribers of the WorshipTeam.com worship planning system.
Review by Kim Gentes