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.
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 Thursday, September 3, 2009 at 10:20PM 
Several months ago I found myself on a driving trip from New Orleans to Mobile, AL then to Nashville. Over eleven hours total in driving prompted me to bring two new worship CDs to review. The first one I put in was Andy Park's "Wonder Working God". I never took it out. Like my trip, the project is a journey of its own going from song to song, sound to sound, culture to culture. Collectively, this project moves through a wide range of rock, acoustic rock, blues-rock, gospel-piqued and even Asian influenced styles.
Right off the top, the track "Our God Reigns" wakes you up with a 60/70s rock story complete with pounding drums, punching bass and big band accents (or ska, depending on your generational persuasion). A great declaration song about the truths of God's character, "Our God Reigns" will become a favorite in any church it is played in.
Many of us know Andy Park as the songwriter of "In The Secret (I Want To Know You)", one of the most popular songs in the church in the last 15 years. But that may soon become the second most popular song in Andy's songwriting repertoire after the church hears the title track on this album. "Wonder Working God" is a brilliant song with scriptural lyrics, compelling music and soaring melodies. In our time of uncertainty in so many areas, "Wonder Working God" is a lifeline of scriptural truth that congregations everywhere will be using to help remind them of the hope God has placed in our lives through His promises. This is a song that will find its way to other artists and be covered on other albums. It's that good.
The great songs don't stop. Other new songs "New Day", "Help Somebody", "Friend of the Poor", "Fleece of White" and "Your Grace is Sufficient" provide an expansive pallet for anyone looking for superbly crafted songwriting with solidly scriptural content. In addition to that, classics such as "How Priceless" (one of my favorite songs ever), "Messiah", "One Thing I Ask" and "Like A Lily" round out the album with crisp arrangements that provide for generous use in the local church.
The production on this album is diverse in style, but constantly understated in execution, which makes it a listening delight. Choosing well between guitar or piano based song arrangements, producer Brian Theissen makes this album about the songs, not about an infinite number of layers of production that take the songs beyond their intended use- the local church.
I wish I could say I remember what the other album was that I intended on listening to for the balance of the eleven hours in the vehicle, but "Wonder Working God" made the entire trip with me through Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee. And it was a delight! A great album and a gift to the church, it's easy for me to recommend "Wonder Working God" to you as our latest "Editors Choice" selection from WorshipMusic.com.
Product Link (buy it here): Wonder Working God
Serving with you, Kim Gentes
andy park, cd, kim gentes, music, vineyard, wonder working god, worship, worshipmusic.com in CD Review Thursday, July 10, 2008 at 8:24AM 
Right at the start let me say "Hymns: a modern translation" is an engaging, and beautiful worship experience that I am pleased to grant an Editor's Choice Award.
In the last 10 years, I have had the privilege of listening to and writing reviews on hundreds of worship projects/CDs. Of all those only a handful have captured my ear and hearts as much as this project. As a Christian, I have never believed that any single style of music was more "sacred" than any other for one simple reason: it all comes down to content. This is especially so in our devotionally focused worship music since it carries with it our expressions of both our theology and our heart cry of praise. But no matter how well written the lyrical content, a song will not engage as a script for the church worldwide if it does not contain exceptionally crafted music as well.
"Hymns: a modern translation" takes on both these challenges and adds sparkling productions to beautiful vocals and genuine emotion to make one of the best modern worship CDs I have ever heard.
Starting with an outstanding list of time-honored songs from the centuries Sean and Aimee Dayton, along with producer Andrew Horrocks, burst into acoustic rock renderings of Nothing But the Blood, My Jesus I Love Thee, All Hail The Power, Fairest Lord Jesus, Crown Him With Many Crowns, and Holy, Holy, Holy. They add to that a perfect selection of recent century hymn expressions in The Wonderful Cross, In Christ Alone and What a Friend We Have In Jesus.
I am sure some will assume I am exaggerating by saying this is a perfect CD. They would be wrong. From vibrant acoustic rock instrumentation to warm, emotive vocals with a pensive and honest interpretive styling, Sean Dayton brings each song to track as an act of worship. Of the 320 some reviews we have written in the last 10 years at Worshipmusic.com, just 5 of them have been specifically albums dedicated to modern renderings of hymn classics. Taking the risk to make an artful blend of historically loved songs with engaging music for the present day requires not just musical prowess, but sensitivity to gather the best of the ages and present them to today's church.
As I travel down the freeway, this CD spins in the player. My 16 year old son is worshiping loudly, my 13 year old son lifts arms held up in worship and dear old dad (at the grand old age of 40) is lifting his voice and heart up in exultation to God (and keeping hands and eyes focused on the road). The scripture comes to mind - "One generation shall praise Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts." (Psalm 145:4)
Clearly Andrew Horrocks and the Daytons have succeeded with this CD in their goal of having "people of all ages worshipping together". I encourage you to join in as well and review this CD for yourself. I am sure you will be caught up, as I was, with the saints of the ages as we sing to our Savior, Jesus.
If you are a subscriber to WorshipTeam.com, all the songs on this CD, including audio and chord charts and lyrics are included in WorshipTeam.com's song database (along with 6000 other songs).
Amazon Product Link: Hymns: A Modern Translation
Also available on ION Worship @ Hymns: A Modern Translation
Review by Kim Anthony Gentes
Tuesday, January 1, 2008 at 11:00AM 
For many years we have seen a growing influence of mega churches in the worship music being popularized and played in US churches. Churches such as Colorado's New Life Church, Australia's Hillsong Church, and Houston's Lakewood Church have all had profound influence through their worship ministries on the Sunday morning set lists of churches across the nation. In the last 3 years a new local church ministry in Southern California has become influential with its youth-centric music and events. Jesus Culture is a youth ministry that has been holding events worldwide for years now, but worship has always been an integral part of their focus and excellence.
One of the early recordings that they produced was "Your Love Never Fails". Like all of the Jesus Culture recordings it is a live album, collected from their live events. Jesus Culture has produced other albums since this, with great success. But none of them comes to the pinnacle live experience, great song collection and excellent live musical performance as Your Love Never Fails. Featuring leaders Chris Quilala, Kim Walker (now Walker-Smith) and Melissa How (now Wise), this CD brims with energy, great song writing and clean but rocking production.
The title track, Your Love Never Fails, is a hook laden anthem that has become a staple in modern worship churches around the world. But Jesus Culture didn't rely on just new choruses to lead worship in this live experience. Also included on the track list are excellent renditions of Matt Redman's King Of Glory, Tim Hughes' Happy Day and Pete Sanchez's classic I Exalt Thee.
This album stays true to the Jesus Culture vibe and intention of great music, influencing people to change the world. In my opinion, it is the best album released by Jesus Culture, though each project has included gems of songs for local church use. If you haven't heard this album yet, you owe it to yourself to get this amazing experience.
Product Link: Your Love Never Fails (CD/DVD)
Review by Kim Gentes
