Kim Gentes

Rising, lifting, resting, flourishing the ebb and flow of the sounds from the new Vineyard album from New Zealand, One Glimpse, has placed some excellent songs on a skillfully crafted sonic palette for all to listen to. When you think of new music for the church, most people think of live worship projects, anthemic choruses and congregational sounds echoing in the recording. Vineyard delivers a whole different offering to the Body of Christ with One Glimpse. While the songs remain very accessible, the recording quality, arrangement styling, and track selection bring one of the first mainstream worship labels to the table with radio playable (CHR or alternative) songs. The last 3-4 years has seen regular CCM labels bringing their pop-artists to bear on classic worship tunes, giving great visibility and access to many great songs of the church. But where the CCM industry has reached into the worship realm with their offerings, the worship music labels havent done as well in adding a polished production to their projects, allowing them to gain access to the larger CCM audience.

Vineyards One Glimpse is an amazing leap from the tired sound of 90s praise and worship albums to true alternative and pop rock sounds native to the music, not opted and arranged on top of yesterdays songs. Its not surprising, then, to find that the project has strong production and recording from producer Nic Manders (of NZ band, Solace), and even guest contributions from Mark Millard (from the NZ group, the Lads). But what muses and audiophiles will note on listening to this project is the almost complete absence of the acoustic guitar, the staple of every Vineyard Music recording since its short 20+ years as the recording arm of the Vineyard church movement. Except for track seven (I Will Sing) and parts of track 11 (Risen One), even the contemplative songs in this project are highlighted with keyboards or soft electric rhythm. What remains is the occasional acoustic strum as a rhythm highlight on some musical transitions throughout a couple other songs.

Musically, the feel of this album resembles much more the ethereal patch and play keyboards, brit/pop guitars and driving rock drums of Delirious?, hard rock/alternative shots (track 4, Surround Me) at Creed, CCM radio sounds similar to Audio Adrenaline (track 2, One Glimpse) with little samplings of American soft rock and power ballad thrown in. That might seem like a heady mixture, but somehow this sonic meal is textured true (and is not cliché-ridden) with the distinctive Kiwi flavor added in. Suffice to say that this is easily the best radio playable worship album I have ever heard from non-artist driven worship sources (Vineyard recordings, Maranatha, Integrity Hosanna, Hillsongs, et al.).

But for all the polish, does this album have something of value to the church in a congregational worship setting? Yes, and a resounding yes! With the first spin of the CD, (track one, Sacrifice) will let you hear the prime suspect for Sunday mornings in many churches. My favorite on the project, this song is very strong with a devotional declarative verse and a glorious chorus announcing the holiness of the Lord, saying:

Holy, holy, holy are You Lord
Im set apart for the One that I adore
Holy, holy, holy are You Lord
You paid the price that I could not afford

This song should make its way into many contemporary services with great lyrics and a moving musical and melodic chorus.

Delivering the tribute to Delirious? is track five, with To The King, which is almost shameless in stealing lines from I Could Sing of Your Love, but in the style of Lord You Have My Heart or Find Me In The River. This song is a great option for worship leaders looking for a pensive song that builds into another glorious chorus, this time with effectual Hallelujahs ringing the song through. The project completely mellows out with track 6, drawing you in with warm guitar swells and a solo voice of brokenness calling out for God to Sing Over Me. This is a beautiful contribution, ripe for Sunday mornings, especially times of prayer, intercession or ministry. Track seven I Will Sing starts the rebuilding of the tempo and volume that holds out through Song from the Heart and Close To You (whose chorus brought me back to the 80s with a Journey-esque stadium rendering). My Soul and Risen One wrap up the project nicely with beautiful contemplative songs, and again, amazing lyrics. I especially love the simplicity and focus of Risen One, which should not be overlooked by any worship leader.

Overall the project breathes nicely as a selection pallet for new material, with a good variety of songs. It shines as a listening contribution, not only in a personal time of praise (driving in the car), but as a serious offering for Christian radio. I was so excited about this CD, that I really want to recommend it to you worship leaders for consideration in your song hunting journeys. And while the CD itself contains a CD-ROM component with chord charts, overheads and some intro parts, the lack of available support resources (such as songbook, tracks, etc) will limit these strong songs from going to churches that cant play from chord charts or arrange from listening to a CD. Then again, churches that will use this material upfront will have younger musicians, who are very used to playing from chord charts in church situations.

I strongly encourage you to consider taking a look at One Glimpse for some great new songs and a fresh and exciting new sound from Vineyard Music. If you are a congregation with a large youth group or college/young adult service, they will definitely want to hear this CD. But dont say I didnt warn you, because you will be going to get the CD back from them for your regular service, once people start asking you hey, can we do that Sacrifice song they are doing in the youth service? So be nice to your youth leaders- get one for them and one for you. You wont regret it! The innovation of the sound, the level of musical presentation and the quality of the songs are strong enough to encourage us to give One Glimpse an Editor's Choice Award.

Product Link One Glimpse

Review by: Kim Gentes

Seth Parks isn't a person I have met before. But I know something about him. It's likely he enjoys music, but isn't enamored by it. It's likely he is well versed in life's pain and struggle, yet remains satisfied at the place of quiet confidence in Christ. And, oh ya, it's likely he knows how to put the dialog of his journey with Christ down onto paper in the form of good music, and devotional praise. How do I know this? I have been listening to his new worship CD. This new worship project is a diary of sorts telling the beauty and ashes, pains and joys struggle that declares 'Here is Life'.

From pensive steps in easy listening ballads to driving acoustic rock, Seth Parks highlights the journey of life with what real life is made of-- from the mundane to the brilliant! Whether intentional or simply the fruit of his life, everything on this new CD is connected with that premise. His declaration is that if the story of life with Jesus is worth telling at all, it is worth telling in honesty, and expressing through exceptional lyrics and genuinely innovative rhythms and melodies.

The songs found on this CD are superb. Creating continuity across lyric and music, Parks has made songs like 'Be Still' and 'Great And Marvelous' say and sound one message when the music actually follows with ardent purpose the content of the lyrics- very well done! The lyric-writing captures an crispness that can only present in a heart that has actually touched Christ's heart as Seth Parks says 'Jesus, where life in You is my reality' in title track 'Here Is Life' or when he sings these lines from the 'Great And Marvelous' track : 'So let heaven sound with Christ's reward/ And let earth exalt this Champion Lord/ Who triumphs over all His courses run/ Whose glory far outshines the sun/ Sing blessing to this Blessed King/ When, with justice, fear and love He brings/ I will bow and kiss the Son'.

And while the lyrics are well worth the listening, they are equaled by a consist ant strength and depth in both melodic support and musical creativity. In fact, after listening to the first 3 or 4 songs you may be tempted to think that Seth Parks wouldn't have much more new to say, but you would be wrong. This CD finishes as strong as it starts (which is saying a lot, considering the first two songs are so exceptional) with a great medley of 'Crucified' and 'Psalm 113' (a spontaneous song).

If you are looking for content for your local church, this CD has 6 songs I believe are especially strong in this regard (though musical tastes might find you selecting completely different songs at this point). The songs 'Here is Life', 'Be Still', 'Great And Marvelous', 'Strong Tower', 'Crucified' and 'Psalm 113' would all have application. All the songs on this CD are worthy of listening, but to get a good taste of the songs, be sure to go online and listen to the track samples and judge for yourself.

Because of the tremendous giftedness expressed in these songs, the wonderful music accompanying them, and the foresight to provide the church with the printed chord charts on the enhanced CD portion of this new project, I am happy to award 'Here Is Life' with the Editor's Choice Award.

Product Link Here Is Life - Seth Parks

Blessings,
Kim Gentes

p.s. a complete chord songbook for this album is INCLUDED on this CD!! Yes, this is an enhanced CD. Almost unheard of for an independent release, Seth Parks obviously cares about resourcing the church. Very rarely will independent projects include songbooks, but never do they actually include that content right on the CD! Kudos to Seth for having the foresight and putting in the work to see these songs are available for the Body of Christ to use in worship. So don't worry about buying something separate to get the chord charts for these great songs, just buy it here.

If you're like me, you have friends who regularly share with you of their latest discoveries in worship and music. Several months ago, one such friend, introduced me to a song called 'Here I am To Worship'. The song was clear, inviting and sparkling of truth. The more I listened, the less I listened and began to worship and bow my heart to God. Such was my initiation into the sounds and songs of a worship leader Tim Hughes, from Watford, England's Soul Survivor movement. Now, the album from the young Soul Survivor worship leader is released in the US and abroad. And thankfully, the title track ('Here I Am To Worship') was just a hint of the great collection of praise and intimacy that earmarks this terrific project.

As many of you know, my most important criterion in reviewing a praise and worship album (IE. an album for the Church to use in devotion) is the quality of the songs. In that area, 'Here I Am To Worship' is the finest album to come from the UK since Delirious? released their Cutting Edge double CD collection in the US. Most immediate comparisons for this album will go directly to label-mate Matt Redman's 'Friendship and the Fear' and 'Heart of Worship' projects, and rightly so. Tim Hughes garners musical and lyrical style out of the same cloth as Redman, no doubt about it. But comparisons are really not needed to appreciate this album, as it stands squarely on its own merits of terrific songwriting, great production and fine vocals! So let's dive in and look at the songs!

The project kicks off with 'Maker of All Things', a guitar driven song that is definitely a 'freeway hit' (you know what I mean- you will be rocking back and forth singing this song as you roll off to work on the freeway). Not only is the music upbeat, but also the lyrics and attitude of this song truly elevate the heart as you find yourself lifting up the Lord. I really appreciate the album starting this way, making God the context of our music through clearly praise pointed lyrics. In fact, you won't find the word 'I' in this introductory track at all; a tendency critics of modern worship music have said was a shortcoming of many projects. As a writer Tim Hughes does great service to the Church with this first song, making us all focus just on Him through God-ward lyrics. He also does not allow us to worship in isolation by crafting language for the whole Church and joining us all to worship by using pronouns 'we', 'our' and 'your people' through the song. Rolling along, the album ebbs musically softer through tracks 2 and 3. 'May the Words of My Mouth' begins by borrowing from Psalm 19, and resounds with personal devotion and commitment to 'follow You' and 'give my all to You'. Stuck between a great opening track and the title song, this track could get lost, but I encourage everyone not to let that happen. And that goes for this whole album- every track on this project is worthy of its placement on an international release like this.

On to the third song, we come back to 'Here I Am To Worship'. In my opinion, this song is so infectious, so truthful, and so balanced (by both words of heartfelt longing and beautiful lyrical sculpting of God's character) that it will become the most widely used song out of the UK worship stream since 'I Could Sing of You Love Forever'. In the manner as David did in the book of Psalms, this song attains the same amazing juxtaposition of personal prayer/cry and artful etching of God's awesome attributes. And that is the signature of Tim Hughes writing on almost every song- a constant contrast of our emptiness and God's greatness. You just have to look at the chorus of this song to see that clearly:

Here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that You're my God
You're altogether lovely
Altogether worthy
Altogether wonderful to me

What else need be said? If you aren't doing this song yet in your times of corporate worship, you will be soon.

Arriving at 'I'll Always Love You', the fourth track is easily my favorite. With the best musical hook on the album, this song says what we all long to say:

I'll always love You
I'll always sing to You, Jesus
I long to worship You in Spirit and in truth

The simple lyrics, great melody, and excellent power-chord progression of this chorus-based song will be bouncing around the halls of youth groups and youthful hearts for many years. I have to say it again- this is my favorite song on this album! Don't miss it!

You may have noticed that I haven't said much about vocal style or musicianship and production. Don't worry; this is one of the best musical productions to ever come out of the UK worship leaders. Producers Jason Halbert and Dwayne Larring, of the original Sonic Flood, made sure the project shines with tasteful arrangements (using power and understatement effectively), excellent instrumentation and well placed vocal styling. Not to diminish the superlative work of production done on this project, but the songwriting on this CD is so stellar it remains its backbone.

Back to the songs, tracks 5 and 6 continue the renderings of Hughes' psalmist heart on the music canvas. 'If There's One Thing' is a medium tempo song that builds into a commitment song of our devotion to God. 'Redeemer' returns to a soft tone, and to contrasting the worshippers heart with the vastness of the One being worshipped. Ringing in the song 'Day After Day', the seventh track is another one of my favorites. This song is a wonderful prayer/cry with another tremendous melodic chorus. Some will say it is too simple, too repetitive. Too bad for them! I love this song, and it makes my list of songs to do in church. Track eight is a fun tune, continuing to weave great lyrics with infectious music and melody. When I first heard 'Jesus, You Alone' I was immediately remind of 'That Thing You Do' musically. It is a bouncy song of God's glory, but with good lyrical weight.

The next song retreats back to simplicity and intimacy with 'Never Lose the Wonder' only to return to another wave of musical exuberance with 'The Eyes of My Heart', which in turn is followed by the calm devotion of 'My Jesus, My Lifeline'.

You don't have to be a fan of UK worship music or Tim Hughes to simply love this album. The tremendous offerings of songs on this project will wash over the Church worldwide, as we praise God. While listening to this CD in my car stereo (I listened to this CD no less than 30 times through!), I was able to get to know the songs personally and am now ready to begin incorporating them in my own local churches worship services. But I have said enough, the best way for you to believe it for yourself is to listen online to the CD! Get yours soon- this is a great CD!

Product Link Here I Am To Worship - Tim Hughes

Reviewed by
Kim Gentes

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

Crisp, clear and radiant--these are the inviting rhythms of Roger Hodges' best worship project to date, 'Big Big God'. Are you thinking of what it would sound like to have pristine sound production, knitted with completely rapturous melodies, all held together with incredible grit through honest vocals? Stop thinking, start worshiping--with 'Big Big God'!

Anyone who may have had the opportunity to worship in a meeting with Roger Hodges knows his approach is a one-way rocket to the courts of God. I have to confess something--I used to be of the opinion that truly great albums and songs would 'float' to the top, get picked up by the majors (labels), and make it to the masses. After the last two-and-a-half years of listening to stacks and stacks of praise & worship CDs, this just isn't reality anymore.

The rise of the 'indie' (independent) praise and worship projects has become a legitimate source of TOP quality resource and expression in that genre's music market. Sure there is a lot of 'fluff' put out by indies, but the truly great stuff is not only competing with the big labels, they are setting the pace in creative and passionate musical prayers and devotion. After indie projects like Langley Vineyard's 'the Well', Rita Springer's 'Created To Worship', and WaterDeep's 'Enter The Worship Circle', the water is gathering for this emerging stream of praise to become a torrent of the river of God.

And now you can add to that flow of God's praise, the rhythmic current of 'Big Big God'!

This CD belongs in that category of top notch projects. 'Big Big God' begins its spin in your CD-ROM with 'You Are,' a power-ballad that throws out the rules and rushes straight to God, speaking passionately to the Father. You will fall to your feet in surrender to Him, as you sing out:

And You are the air I breathe
And You are the song I sing
And You are redeeming love
I trust in You alone

You will be tempted to lock on to this first song and let the [repeat] function hold you here for hours! But that, my friend, would be a big, big mistake. The six minutes this track plays for will seem far too short to anyone who finds themselves on the floor, pouring out the heart to the Father.

Moving on to the next song, Roger calls us to 'rise up' in the military/march-girded rhythms of Psalm 33. I really enjoyed this song, as the music and Hodges' voice invites us to stand in the light of God.

But the journey has just begun, and as the light, crisp strum of the acoustic guitar begins to swell into the title track song, you are swept back into a personal conversation with God. Thankfulness expressed across the breadth of God's character is a constant staple to this great album, which is a well balanced feast of lyrical devotion. Of course, there is a reason 'Big Big God' is the title track to this project--the song is as infectious as it is thoughtful. But if you thought this was just another well-scripted, studio produced session of nice songs. well, by this third song you have begun to realize this is much more. In 'Big Big God', Hodges begins his adding of joyful, creative and honest worship and praise 'spontaneous' moments. And apparently, once he gets started, he can't hold it back.

Throughout the rest of the album, Hodges makes no apologies for his obvious attack of enjoyment that lifts this album into a real praise and worship experience. The joy keeps on going in the boisterous 'You Are Faithful', where this rocket launches into some very nice musical placements by electric guitar power-man Lincoln Brewster.

You can't put much better talent on an album, and those haven't already heard Brewster's work on his self-titled debut (from Integrity Music's youth worship label Vertical Music) will be very pleasantly surprised. After a brief settling back, with Kevin Prosch-esque 'The Son Is Rising', the trip continues with 'The Lamb has Overcome'. This has the same straight-ahead lyrical and progression stylings as 'You Are', but this time points us to the returning of Jesus.

Just when you think you have things all figured out, 'All that I Want' is slight step off the trail, but most welcomed. This song provides good style contrast, and again with deeply heartfelt lyrics sung with actual passion (wow! Imagine that!). By this time you are pretty convinced that Roger Hodges is the real item--an actual worshiper who recorded what he actually would do in a live worship service setting.

This time comes to an intimate juncture with just voice and acoustic guitar (and a touch of oboe or synth patch) laying out the song 'You've Captured My Heart'. This intimate worship ballad is perfect, no other words for it. On the final cut, every instrument is pulled back except piano. Then, Hodges just lets it all come out- passionate prayer, covenant commitment, and loving thankfulness, with a beautiful backdrop of sensitive piano playing.

Quite obviously, this project earns our highest commendation here at WorshipMusic.com, the Editor's Choice Award. I actually struggled to find something wrong with this CD, listening to it for 5 continuous hours (a record for me with any CD). Maybe it was because the musicianship was impeccable. Maybe because the vocals are just everything you ever wanted to say to the Lord. Or, maybe it's because you can't help but get caught up in the praise and worship with this album--I am not sure of the reason, but this project is flat out excellent. Praise God!

Product Link Big Big God - Roger Hodges

Review by Kim Gentes