Kim Gentes

It's been just over 2 years since Chris Tomlin released the Grammy Winning "And If Our God Is For Us..." album.  And here we are with another new project from Chris Tomlin- "Burning Lights". Beginning as a spectacular album, "Burning Lights" has several sparkling new songs, but also has a few "average" tracks as well.

The first 5 songs are not only great songwriting anthems, but are presented in musical vibrancy that tops any work Tomlin has done in the past. The arrangements, style and rhythms found here are smart and successful experiments in broader worlds into which Tomlin has been relatively cautious.

The songs "Awake My Soul" (anthem rock with hip-hop lyric overlays), "Lay Me Down" (rock touched with a bit of Lumineers/Mumford and Sons) and "God's Great Dance Floor" (pop-dance worship that actually doesn't sound cheesy) are almost ecstatic in their energy and vibrancy- all while staying on task of being songs the church will want to sing in the style of modern liturgy. My nod for best song on this album, both lyrically and as a church anthem, is "Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies)". This song has all the excitement of the other top tracks on the album with its dynamics and guitar hooks, but it also possesses the most singable melodies and lyrics on the project, all wrapped into a glorious rock worship anthem.

After the song "White Flag", the songs empty out to simple worship ballad arrangements.  Kari Jobe duets with Tomlin on the hymn "Crown Him", and this works not only as a listening experience but as a worshipful arrangement of this classic hymn- with a new custom Tomlin chorus, of course. The next several songs continue to strip back the instruments in ebb/flow arrangements throughout. Some may conclude that these last five songs are the slower ballads that are left more barren to allow churches to adopt them as is. But I would contend that these melodies and music are simply not as compelling on the last five songs as the first six songs on this project. The lack of arranging on the final songs simply excentuates those properties.

Be that as it may, this album has many excellent songs. You will find several to be of interest to contemporary churches who already like Chris Tomlin songs and style. Musically and creatively, "Burning Lights" is Tomlin's best album to date, eclipsing even his debut "Arriving" in creativity. Again, do not miss "Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies)"- it is the best contribution on this project!

For churches using WorshipTeam.com, the songs, chord charts, lyrics and audio are already available and pre-loaded for you in the WorshipTeam.com system song database. If you are not part of WorshipTeam.com and want to listen to audio samples or purchase the album directly yourself, see the Amazon link below.

Amazon Link: http://amzn.to/14jCcIE

Review by Kim Gentes

As is my practice lately, before listening the album, I grabbed my guitar, capo and pick. I went into my office, turned on my computer, and logged into Worshipteam.com. I found most of the album with chord charts, lyrics and audio. I went through the album in real-time, with the charts in front of me, playing along. After playing through 7 songs, I was worshiping along, loving the music and in the thankful mood of Christmas- glorifying God for the gift of His Son!

After learning (and loving) about half a dozen songs (and arrangements) from the album, I then put down my guitar. Leaned back and closed my eyes as I listened and worshiped along with the album. And what a joy it was!

The project starts in a bubbling cadence with the Christmas favorite "O Come Let Us Adore Him". I have always loved this song, as it represents a wonderful merge of Christmas themes and worshipful surrender language for the part of the celebrant. Next comes a banjo framed revision of "Joy To The World". The song itself is very simply arranged and clearly sung, with the banjo plucking and choral vocal meanderings edging the main sections of the song. Beautiful!

The third track is a new Christmas original from Hillsong Music. Again, the sound of percussive rhythms and banjo plucking shows how extensive the influences of recent bluegrass, roots (a la Mumford & Sons) sounds have penetrated into the modern worship writing/recording. "Born Is the King" is a celebration of joy that everyone can stomp their feet and lift their heart in thanks to God for His gracious gift!

Track five shares an extended and appropriately clear rendition of  "O Holy Night". Stripped away to its perfect balance of emptiness (in the beginning) to full aria (near the ending sections), Hillsong musicians and vocalists don't try to reinterpret this sacred worship song of the season, but simply sing it to it's joyful fullness. Excellent!

The title track, "We Have A Savior" (of course, in Australia, it is "We Have A Saviour") is an ebb and flow 6/8 call to worship song. It is as infectious as it is haunting. Wonderfully thoughtful music that holds the structure for these glistening lyrics and more:

A child has been given

The King of our freedom

Sing for the light has come

this is Christmas

Each of the songs on this Christmas worship collection are wrought with attention to their acoustical and lyrical beauty. I loved every sweet line, even the unchanged renditions of ancient favorites are beautifully done.  One especially unique song was the very rustic rendition of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen"- in which case the rustic is referring to banjos, clap percussion, tamborines and violins. 

My favorite song here was the magnificent "Gloria (Angels We Have Heard On High)", not only because it retains the undaunting power of its original form, but is not overproduced into an unaccessible peice for local worship teams. This is a fine line and Hillsong perfects the balance nicely.

If you are a local church looking for worshipful songs and arrangements that will definitely work for Christmas- "We Have A Savior" has literally a dozen songs you should listen to. Every track on this album is worthy of the Christmas season! As a worship leader, I played along with the entire album (guitar, capo and pick in hand) and had no trouble with the complexity or arrangements! There were few songs that definitely were written for female lead vocals, but nothing could be more appropriate for a nice mixture in your Christmas worship selections.

For churches using WorshipTeam.com, most the songs, chord charts and audio are already available and pre-loaded for you in the WorshipTeam.com system song database. If you are not part of WorshipTeam.com and want to listen to audio samples or purchase the album directly yourself, see the Amazon link below.

Amazon Link: http://amzn.to/Vl3V55

Review by Kim Gentes

Music is a strange thing. Like other technical art-based disciplines, perfection is not just about execution of the skill. Inside the skill of music lies the art. The art blossoms when the skill and structure of the notes, rhythms, fingers, voices and teamwork merge with such effortless integration that the message of the artist(s) rise above the din of music making. If we left it at that, the craft of music would stay an emotional and heartfelt, but ultimately, soulish venture. And so much music is today.

When one listens to the live recordings of a worship service with thoughtful music, well-crafted songs, and (dare I spend that overused phrase) authentic performances, the art of music rises beyond an appeal to emotion. When talking about worship music, what makes room for more than the emotive connection with music as an individual enjoyment is the cultivation of awareness- awareness of others and the Other.

Listening to "For The Sake of the World" from Bethel Music is a pulsing example of a vibrant worship experience and devotional offering of songs; one as intimately aware of God's transcendence as it is celebrating His immanence. When you listen to this new album there is "something" on it -or maybe in it- that takes great music and turns it into songs for nations.

The album begins with a subtle but inviting simmer- the call to worship song "To Our God". Rather than storming the gates of hell, and rousing the emotions of rally, this song performs the combined function of ancient introit, invoking God's welcome, calling all to join the prayer and declaring the intention of the congregation to move towards Him for no other reason than "We'll make His praise glorious, for His name is glorious". From ebb to ecstasy, track one welcomes us to another spectacular album from the folks behind Bethel Music.

Like their youth-focused counterparts on the Jesus Culture albums, this album isn't a self-centered show-case of homegrown tunes. And proving that point, track two is the song "Our Father", a cover of the song from the writers at International House of Prayer music group. Plaintiff, as expected, but powerful too!

Jeremy Riddle leads the third song, "This Is Amazing Grace", which is another blissful example of why Jeremy is writing some of the most heartfelt and widely sung new songs in the church today. I loved this new song, bringing the ancient rhetorical question to glorious life various takes on "who is like our God?", and answering it with poignant precision- "This is amazing grace, this is unfailing love..." 

"You Have Won Me" is a vivacious and powerful song, reminiscent of the 4-section tune patterns made popular in Hillsong United choruses (ABABCDBD- where C is a long musical interlude and D are anthemic bridges that could double for 2nd choruses on their own). Brian and Jenn Johnson share the largest portion of vocal point this project, and Brian applies his leadership here with great effect.

As the tracks play on, each is an excellent, diverse and compelling song. The 8th note hymn-styled "Who You Are" by Jenn Johnson, the slow building "Forgiven", the joy-graced power-praise of "In Your Light" with Jeremy Riddle, and the fast spinning "Freedom" are a steady and inviting ramp of rhythm and praise through the album's mid-section. By the time we reach "Closer" with Steffany Frizzell-Gretzinger we have come to the downward arch of tempo on this project and themes of intimacy and devotion are reaching the apex. On "This Is What You Do" (led by William Matthews), we pause briefly for what seems like a lighter moment, only to be pulled back into deeper groove and devotional themes once again.

Finally, the project is landed as it started, with Brian Johnson making the plaintiff prayers and invocations of a hungry people for a glorious God- calling out for revival flames in the hearts of the church to bring true love and passion to reach the world. This is apt not only as a theme for this album, but as a generalization of the Bethel Music as a whole- they are a revivalist church whose musical collective is singing the messages of their tribe. "For the Sake Of The World" is a song, and an album that reflects the best of the subtleties of passion and music that has burned in the tradition of revivalist musical liturgy across the ages of the evangelical church groups reflected by such as John and Charles Wesley, the Pentecostals of the early 20th century, the Jesus people of the 60's, the Vineyard churches of 80's and 90's and now Bethel Music and the Jesus Culture groups that emanate out of the Bethel church sphere. It is passionate, contrite, prayer laced, unafraid of intimate language, declaratively rich, exceptionally vibrant musical styling and maintains a balance of transcendence and immanence in its theological content. In short- God's glory and God's goodness.

I very much appreciate this album, its musical excellence and its lyrical, thematic and theological attentiveness to both the scriptures and the traditions of its tribal stream from which it comes. I highly recommend "For The Sake of the World". Check this album out- you won't be disappointed! If you are a worship leader in a church that is looking for songs laced with the prayers of revival tones and invocations of God's glory and nearness, you will have an entire cache of new songs to consider here- all worthwhile!

worshiping Him!

Review by Kim Gentes

[Free Song Download "My Soul Longs" from Jeremiah Carlson- see at the bottom of the review.]

My Foundation is the latest release from Vineyard Worship. The project is a live recording from its recent Cultivation Generation young adult conference held in Boise, ID.  The house band for the event has been The Neverclaim, a youth rock worship group led by Jeremiah Carlson, who forms the foundation of the sound and track contributions on this album. And that is a good thing.

Carlson takes the vocals on both the lead track and three others, giving a musical style and thematic bent that is reminiscent of Jesus Culture and Forerunner/IHOP (Kansas City) music. Stylistically, electric guitar driven rock ballads set the stage for a mixture of eschatologically centered lyrics ("my soul longs for the coming of the Risen Lord") and triumphalist refrains ("with a shout sin is finished, death and sin have been defeated. Now we stand victorious"). Tracks with the Neverclaim nod to similarities not only to the aforementioned, Jesus Culture, but hints of Hillsong United, and Planetshakers breakthrough with a touch of Mumford & Sons thrown in to stir up the mix.

The remainder of the tracks are led by worship leaders Stephen Lampert, David Linhart, Jesse Meyer and Anabeth Morgan.

The album starts powerfully with Carlson calling out "My Soul Longs", and the song rings out like an invitation for every heart to set it's desire on "the coming of the risen Lord". The second track, pounds out the declaration "How great" and "Love has come, love has won" as Lampert leads the song with low verses and a charging chorus (track 7 does something similar stylistically as Jesse Meyer leads). "God Don't Never Change", the third track, is a decided change of gears with blues/rock/island fusion that vamps into about four more gears of urban gospel/rock styling and vocals, always keeping a connection with the worshiping congregation singing right along with them.

The title track "My Foundation" is goes to yet another pace, but is a welcome respite to tranquil and worshipful waters, led by Anabeth Morgan whose vocals and meandering style remind us of the approach of Kim Walker (Jesus Culture) which can start with pensive humming that eventually vamps to pounding anthems with 2 bar notes. Track five is a return to Vineyard Music stamped "Roots Music" feel with its Americana/west coast country sound. The tracks continue on with great diversity and worshipful approach.

To wrap this review, I will call out two of my favorite songs from this project. The last track is a modern revision of Kevin Prosch's now classic "They That Wait On The Lord". Appropriately led by the vocal soring of Carlson and the Neverclaim, energy and congregational joy bubble up through the ebb and flow of the nearly 7 minute track. Very cool and a great revisit to a song that deserves a fresh look for this generation.

My absolute favorite song on this project lands on track eight, where Morgan's beautiful, yet powerful, voice guides us in language from the book of Revelation. This is the most pensive song on the twelve track contribution, but it is so grooved, so inviting, so heartfelt, you will fall into worship of the worthy Lord as you are led from section to section! And even in this song, a deep groove develops in the chorus and you will find yourself with hands lifted high singing "Worthy are You Lord to receive all the honor and glory!"

I really enjoyed this album from Vineyard Worship. While it's origins are youthful, the songs are largely congregational for any modern worship centered church. There is much to investigate on this project, but be sure not to miss tracks 1, 2, 8 and 12 which, in my opinion, are ready candidates for fresh winds of worship for your local church.

Additionally, our friends at Vineyard Music have also granted us permission to give you access to the audio and chord chart for the song "My Soul Longs" as a free download for a limited time directly here, so you will find it below.

worshiping Him!

Kim Gentes

Free Song Download "My Soul Longs" from Jeremiah Carlson

Rita Springer is a name that has been synonymous with passionate worship. Like many of you, I've been enjoyed her songs, been inspired by her powerful vocals and encouraged by her living example as a leader and mentor to a generation of worship leaders. I first met Rita in 2001, and did a video interview with her on a tour she was doing with Worship Together newcomers (then) Tim Hughes and Chris Tomlin. Rita was then, and continues to be, a trailblazer who never settles for the "status quo". She was never content to live on your latest success or create a song to fit with the "formula" that might be popular.

Rita's latest album, called "The Playlist (Deluxe)", is a progression in that journey, taking Rita's music from its powerful and inspirational roots to a place of beautiful artistry and pop accessibility. This marks the first album for Rita with her new major label partner, Integrity Music. Instead of pressing Rita into a plastic mold of pop-Christian music, this new release has Rita playing some of her most innovative music to date (such as tracks In This Forever, Over I Go, and Made For This), while on the same album including some of her most worshipful, hook-laden grooves (such as tracks I Call You, You Are My Hallelujah, Come In, All I Need, You Are Good, Oh How You Love Me, Make You Happy, and gospel drenched This Blood).

"The Playlist (Deluxe)" is a triumph of the best passionate worship, glorious vocals, great lyric writing, and artistic production that we've ever heard from Rita Springer. I couldn't get through this album without lifting my arms, raising my voice and joining in worship. While this album is made with top level production, it remains 25 excellent tracks (11 studio and 14 live tracks) for consideration by local churches looking for great new songs. Rita is joined by a veritable "who's who" of producers who's collaborative efforts shine, rather than segment, this great album. Jason Halbert, David Ruis, Bobby Hartry, Jason Morant, Anthony Skinner, Daniel Bashta and Joel Khouri apply their considerable talents to this project, and each track brings out a slice of Rita's passion that fits the song. Additional to that, the "Deluxe" portion of this album is a live version of many songs, PLUS four of Rita's most amazing corporate worship favorites: Created to Worship, All I Need, You Are Good and Oh How You Love Me.

Listening through the album multiple times, I keep changing my favorite songs. Lyrically, I found myself resonating with the lead track Come In very deeply. Rhythmically, I loved In This Forever and its 6/8 feel. But four songs stand out profoundly for me. First, I Call You is an infectious song of praise with such devotional language I find myself reaching for my guitar and joining in every time the track starts. Second, This Blood is something of the feel of an old-time hymn, with gospel choir backdrops and the undeniable message of Christ's redemptive work made possible in the sacrifice of His Blood. Then, You Are Good is one of those songs that will ring around in your head and want you to put it on the set list for next Sunday every time you hear it- a great corporate worship song. But my absolute favorite song has to come down to Oh How You Love Me, which though it is one of Rita's classic worship songs is so powerful, so compelling and pulls such a deep musical groove that you can't do anything but absolutely love it and want to sing along to the Lord "Oh how You love me". 

If you have never heard Rita Springer before, this album should be your first stop into one of the most passionate, gifted songwriter/worship leaders in the last 20 years. It's that good. I have no hesitation with naming The Playlist Deluxe a 2012 Editor's Choice Award recipient. It is a great album, really. Check it out.

NOTE: Below is a free download from our friends at Integrity Music, with both the MP3 and chord chat from the song "This Blood" from Rita's new album. Enjoy!

Amazon Link: http://amzn.to/KX4Nsj

Review by Kim Gentes

Free Song Download "This Blood" from Rita Springer