Back in the mid-90's Kim began writing impromptu reviews of church music CDs (worship music) so that people who were looking for CDs would have an opinion from someone who is also a worship leader and is garnering music for local church use. Up to this point, this was rarely something that was done, because church music was revered as sacred and it was thought that any offering of that sacred worship shouldn't be criticised or evaluated. In fact, Kim wasn't as much a critic as he was an evaluator, helping people find what fit their church. He began posting his reviews on line in a email discussion forum, called the Worship List (website). After a while, when he helped launch Worshipmusic.com, he continued that same concept of trying to help other local church worship leaders and musicians find music that might be applicable to their situations. The reviews continued to be a part of that. Worshipmusic.com went on to grow a staff of writers that would add many more reviews to the collection they have, but Kim continued to participate as a key reviewer. This journal logs all the reviews Kim has written on worship music CDs and projects.
Kim's reviews of CD projects of worship music includes independents, label and main stream recordings, but all having to do with worship music.
Saturday, July 9, 2011 at 11:28AM 
Well, I just got the new album, Weathered, from Sheri Carr. Wow! This is a brilliant new look at Sheri's music. With perfectly contained arrangements that highlight her stellar voice these are wonderful new songs. You haven't heard Sheri like this before. The EP has a pop / country / light rock feel that tells thoughtful stories of real life.
Staying away from cliché lyrics, she shines as an artist and songwriter in this new 5-song EP. Sheri packs so much life and hope into this album it will rip your heart out and hand it back to you with a warm smile. For the first time, Sheri uses her full range as a vocalist with soft, low tones that waft in a pensive melody to arias with her signature, full-strength, vocal surge. Songs Home, In a Blink, and One Song are where you hear this most, each having a beautiful expanse of dynamics that are bridged internally with effortless perfection.
Choosing a favorite song was initially a toss up between the melodic singability of the brilliant In a Blink and the perfect understated draw of One Song. But the more I listened the more I fell in love, ironically, with Find Love. This song is such a heart-true ballad that you can't listen to it without realizing the questions it poses and challenges it makes are the profound kind of writing and performance that make great music the language of all our hearts. Well done, Sheri.
Not a "corporate worship" album per say, this becomes Sheri's debut as a true "artist" beyond any of her work in the past. Radio perfect sensibility sings on every song. If you have a chance to get this album, get it. If you have a friend who is at a place of needing encouragement in life, you might not find a better gift. Seriously. Check it out! It will lift your heart and give you hope. I'll say it again- brilliant!
Product link: Weathered / Sheri Carr
Review by Kim Gentes
album, artist, cd, christian, music, project, sheri, sheri carr, sheri keller, song, weathered, worship in CD Review, Music Review Tuesday, April 12, 2011 at 12:05AM 
Review: New Life Church - You Hold It AllWho has stretched out the skies like a canvas
Who has scooped up the oceans with His hands
Who has measured the hills from the mountains You have
It's the heartbeat of God it's the rhythm and reason for love
The power of the cross is the beginning for all who are lost
album, cd, christian, jared anderson, jon egan, music, new life church, packiam, praise, review, worship, you hold it all in CD Review, Music Review Wednesday, March 23, 2011 at 8:49PM 
[stop for a moment. quiet the noise. rest your mind. read this.]
Welcome to the place of level ground
Welcome to the place where grace abounds
We all need mercy
We all need mercy
This is the first verse of the title track from Brian Doerksen's newest music experience, entitled "Level Ground". Like most of Brian's projects, this one is a woven, purposeful story. In this episode of his sharing with the broader church, the overarching theme is grace. The liner notes intro this CD well, where Doerksen says:
"This project began as a simple idea... a picture of grace."
The songs and arrangements of this album reflect this vision well. Having watched some of the video tracks from the DVD, it also keeps the poignancy of the grace-filled intention. In fact, even the website of the project (on braindoerksen.com) has several powerful video clips of individuals who share stories of their lives that express the struggle of our humanity and the grace of God- be sure to watch those stories, they are amazing. That is the core of this project- seeing grace through another's eyes. Being kind enough to hear and enter into the narrative of another person's story. If you miss this, you may hear some great music, but avoid the reality of theme it is built upon- God's grace, changing lives.
That said, let's talk about the music! As I mentioned, this album starts off with the title track "Level Ground". The keystone in both theme and musical presentation of this project, Level Ground is a very singable and inviting song. Medium tempo feel and, though it is presented with layers of Celtic/soft rock fusion here, could fit nicely into virtually any modern styled service.
I really enjoyed the second song "The Jesus Way", which builds intensity as the arrangement lifts you into guitar-driven vamp that allows you stand and declare your allegiance to the "Jesus Way".
I also enjoyed the dynamic rendition of Tim Hughes's powerful "Everything" (a lyrical tribute that nods to St. Patrick's Breastplate prayer). Staring pensive and stripped down with just piano and light touches for effect, it launches into power chord driven chorus. But after the explosion of heart in the chorus, the return to the simple verse is understated and perfect, ending with a beautiful piano instrumental to guide the worshiper into a space of humble offering to God.
"Will You Love Me In the Winter" is a beautiful and heart wrenching musical inquiry, from the human heart to what can seem like a distant God, when our bodies and lives are broken and cold. Speaking of the dark night of the soul, languishing in the struggle of discouragement and pain of the body, Doerksen gives voice to our question- will God be there when I am most in need of him? Thank you, Brian, for writing a thoughtful lament for the church. Much needed. Well done.
A couple of other favorite tracks on the album are "Altar of Love" and "Whatever Comes", both songs are well done. My favorite track on the album is the anthem "Thank You for the Cross". Excellent lyrics, great presentation, and a powerful song!
This project is recorded live, and with the musicians in the midst of a congregation joining in the worship. Visually and audibly it is an engaging and grace-filled experience. I encourage you to take a listen to this album! I love it!
Product Link at Amazon: Level Ground [+digital booklet]
The entire album is also already included in the WorshipTeam.com worship planning system.
Bring us to the place of level ground, o Lord!
In Him,
Kim Gentes
album, brian doerksen, canada, cd, level ground, music, project, worship in CD Review, Music Review Saturday, August 21, 2010 at 8:57AM 
Kim Gentes may not be as familiar a name to you as some of the well known worship leaders, but he has been instrumental in providing the church with some of the best worship songs and resources available through worshipmusic.com for the past 10 years. While serving as a worship leader in his church every week he recognized the need to be able to easily access great worship songs and resources, but also had a desire to share them with the worship community around the world. Kim Gentes has reviewed literally hundreds of worship CD's and songs over the years and his new release, Kingdom Rain is the result of seeking the heart of God each week, trying to give voice to the cry of our hearts in each song and inviting God to visit us in a special way. Several of the songs are co-written with producer Brian Thiessen, (guitarist for Brian Doerksen) who provides a great "worship band" feel for Kim leading with his acoustic guitar.
"Let Everything" is a great opener and an invitation to do what we were created to do….join with all creation to Praise the Lord! I resonate with every word of the title cut, "Kingdom Rain". What a great prayer! I love the text from Revelations and minor rock feel of "Holy Holy Is The Lord Almighty", featuring Vineyard worship leader, Andy Park. I wasn’t ready for this one to end. "Whispers Like Thunder" and "Only Jesus" are two tender prayers that I know reflect the heart of Kim Gentes. "All Of Me For All Of You" is the result of a very personal journey for Kim and a few close friends. I was privileged to be on that journey with him. It has a great Celtic feel featuring a duet with Jessica Park. Love this. "You're My Refuge" is another great prayer and declaration. The chorus is so simple and I found myself singing along immediately. "Bless The Lord" features Rita Springer and is a beautiful moment on the CD, especially toward the end of the song as she worships freely, setting up for Kim’s last song…..a prayer… summing up the whole project.
For those of you who don't know Kim, I encourage you to listen to this CD and get to know his heart like I have. The songs reflect the heart of someone who is dissatisfied with the status quo and who is longing for the refreshing rain of the Spirit to fall on us. If that's you, let’s join our hearts with Kim and say, "Let the flood come. Bring Your rain, Lord. Bring Your Kingdom Rain!"
Kingdom Rain CD is available here.
About Don Moen: Don is one of the most prolific songwriters and producers in Christian music. Having overseen literally hundreds of projects, and a successful songwriter/recording artist in his own right, he has served as the President at Integrity Music, toured on every continent in the world, and received numerous industry accolades and notoriety. But at the heart of Don Moen is a man who is hungry for God, and his work, songs, albums and tours have a common thread of bringing the hope, comfort and encouragement of God's love and promises to people who are also hungry for God.
You can find out more about Don at his own website at
http://www.donmoen.com/
album, don moen, kim gentes, kingdom rain, music, praise, review, worship in CD Review Monday, August 20, 2007 at 9:28AM 
One of the treasures we have in the United States is the songwriter, equipper and worship leader Paul Baloche. I have had the opportunity to meet with Paul a number of times. He has a desire to encourage and equip the church as much as any worship leader I have met. He doesn't just record albums and write songs- he has developed helpful resources, often pioneering in training, in an effort to truly give away the gracious gifting God has blessed him with. With that kind of heart, one isn't surprised that his recordings and songs have a special place in the heart of millions of Christians around the world. The same genuine pastoral care he has for the local church is conveyed in his songs and recordings.
The album "A Greater Song" shows one of the richest collections of new songs in recent memory. But beyond being just great singable new songs, they are crafted with excellence in lyrics and music. Paul manages to put together a truly great album with "A Greater Song" by not only attending to musical production, but by co-writing nearly every song on the album with some of the best songwriters in the world. Brenton Brown, Matt Redman, Glenn Packiam, Graham Kendrick, Sara Groves, and Don Moen all count Paul as a friend and lend their talents to this cornacopia of new songs harvested for the modern church.
The project kicks off with the very popular Hosanna (Praise Is Rising), a reverberating exaltation that declares with the Palm Sunday tradition "Hosanna, Hosanna, You are the God who saves us." This is a co-write with Brenton Brown, author of Everlasting God, Halellujah (Your Love Is Amazing) and many other songs. The lyrics have captivated congregations around the world and is rising to become one of the most used songs in the Christian church. If you haven't heard this song, take time and do so- excellent, playable and well-written theological lyrics.
The songs continue with brilliance in songwriting and top notch presentation with Because Of Your Love, another co-write with Brenton Brown. This upbeat declaration thanks God for his great love and it rings true with a unity of lyric and beat that emphasize the point. Like all the songs on this album, electric guitarist Ben Gowell works perfect tone and rhythmic placement on the leads and overlays for each section of the songs. They are as enjoyable to listen to as they are to sing along- a real delight.
The tracklist doesn't falter, and you get full load of rock/country/pop ballad and more on this project. Some of my favorite tracks are Thank You Lord (co-write with Don Moen), Creation's King (co-write with Graham Kendrick), and Here And Now (yet another co-write with Brenton Brown). Paul not only recognizes the value of great co-writing in his song craft, but incorporates the beautiful voice of Kathyrn Scott on a couple of tracks. And this brings me to my favorite song on the album.
Your Name is a co-write with Glenn Packiam (of New Life Church in Colorado). On this recording, Paul Baloche entreats a ballad by way of a duet with Kathryn Scott- a duet that marks simplicity and perfection on the most singable and infectious melody on the album. If for no other reason, get this recording of this song- it brims with glory, declaration, and not the least- the focus on the Name above all names. You will be launched into praise and worship if you dare to begin singing this encouraging ballad.
A beautiful song and a wonderful album, "A Greater Song" was awarded 2006 Album of the Year by WorshipMusic.com and it is no wonder. Don't hesitate to add this great album to your collection.
Product Link: A Greater Song - Paul Baloche
Review by Kim Gentes
