Kim Gentes

Sometimes listening to CDs means we miss the whole point of a worship recording project.  The idea that we are supposed to just "listen" to a music experience was not part of the heart or intention of most pastors, worship leaders or ministers. In fact, most of them would say that if all you did was listen to some nice songs, that they aren't interested in writing songs, making music and producing CDs. 

Such is the case with Vertical Music newcomer, Dave Lubben. His freshman release is a completely live and personal journey into what is really worship.  This does not involve the temporal items such as instruments, music and CDs, but the eternal action of laying down one's life, as a surrendering act of obedience, into the powerful peace of God's will.  You could have learned this was on Dave Lubben's heart, and in God's heart for him (and us!), simply by reading the incredible story in the CD liner notes. I will leave you to do that, but even without the amazing story of life and death that surrounds the recording of this album, all one needs to do is simply participate in what is sung and spoken on this wonderful musical journal to catch the real "story".  Aptly named, A Place Called Surrender is about the real message of Jesus.  The message he gave to all who would come after him- that they should take up their cross and follow him.

Each song on this project weaves a tapestry of humility and praise that any follower of Christ can echo, in words and heart. From songs of building joy ("Lord Most High" and "King Of Nations") to plaintiff prayers like ("We Need You", "Save Us" and "Speak To Us") to songs of abandon and devotion ("Surrender" and "Lay It Down"), this engaging night of worship is not just a CD, but a beautiful collection of modern psalms.  Initially, I was captivated by the energy and intensity of the opening cut "Lord Most High" and the heartfelt prayers included in the recording.  As I continued on, I went from praise to prayer and finally to bowing on my bedroom floor in worship to Christ, tears running down my eyes as I found myself reflecting on the call of the lyrics on my favorite new song- track seven, "Speak To Me".  Repentance is the response of our lives coming in contact with the Holy One, and as I echoed the words on that song, I found myself weighing sadly short of the scriptural themes being sung to God. As the CD continued on, the next track, "Lay It Down" has Dave Lubben reading from the text in Psalm 116 (verses 2, 3, 5, 7).  As the lyrics of the song and the Scripture reading wash over you, the essence of this project will become pristinely clear- it is about expressing the true heart of worship (submission to God's will, brokenness, offering our lives to Christ, and repentance).

And while the experience is clearly out front on this new project from the re-launched Vertical Music (the youth label from Integrity Music), this CD is also purveyor of both excellent musical presentation and powerful songs for the church.  In fact, the more you listen to this CD, the more the great work done by producer Nathan Nockels (from OneDay/Passion CDs, Philips, Craig & Dean "Let Your Glory Fall", Watermark and others) begins to shine.  The presentation is aptly framed with accessible musical and vocal parts. Along with great song writing by Lubben, this album is absolutely full of usable, excellent songs for the church.  Nockel's arrangement skills not only make strong presentation of the material for church use, but also give a wonderful diversity to the flow of the album.  So the album is top notch stuff in the production department.  But as I said before, that is clearly not the focus here- worship is.

If you are a worship leader looking for a cache of excellent new songs, you must give this project a serious listen.   I will be listening to this CD for a long time... you simply will not get tired of it.  I believe that songs from tracks 1 through 4, and tracks 7 through 10 provide the best set of songs on a single album that I have heard in a very long time.  In fact, I have never recommended 8 songs from any single album ever!  If you are like me, you would be skeptical of anyone claiming there was eight (yes 8!) strong, usable songs on an original album.  So don't believe me, but make sure you check out the songs yourself by listening to the samples provided online.  And thankfully, Vertical Music backs up this excellent CD by providing us with an entire suite of resources to get these songs to use in church (songbook, stereo tracks, and CD-ROM digital songbook).

This CD is easy to select as an Editor's Choice Award winner for me, for all the reasons I have given in this review.  But again, don't take my word for it, check out the songs above for yourself. And remember, once you buy the CD for yourself, be sure to read the liner notes!

Product Link A Place Called Surrender - Dave Lubben

Review by Kim Gentes

Who do you think made the follow two statements? A church pastor? An evangelist? 

'It's far too easy to throw bread from a distance, and to have it in no way engaging your heart.'

'I think the Lord has been challenging us to... get involved with the poor and that it be a real and honest and open expression of who we are as a church.'

(taken from the interview with Eogan Heaslip)

Well, the speaker is the young worship leader who brings us the latest Hosanna Integrity project, 'Mercy'. Eogan Heaslip expresses with passion the kind of heart and ministry that is the center of an outreach oriented church, called CORE in Dublin Ireland. Eogan (pronounced 'Owen') uses that same passion from the Lord to not only fuel an ongoing pursuit to reaching his local community, but to write music and lead worship. And fortunately for us, this is a passion worth bringing to the nations, with this new album, 'Mercy'.

As you can tell, I am particularily impressed with the heart and ministry behind this music. Additional to that, however, is some truly great music. As the CD perculates through the first song, the sounds of pop-rock intersect with acoustic guitar into a swell that welcomes the listener to nod their head and worship in beckon prayer and praise. 'All I Want To Do' is a good selection for the opening track. It's combination of progressive programmed rhythm and guitar-laced instrumentation a beckoning musical call. Not driven, but with much more edge and 'reality' than a pop-radio song the music is perfect for a group of longing hearts to sing out:

'All I want to do is to be close to You,
And all I want to say is thank You for the way,
You love me, You love me.'

Then in declaration, the chorus opens up into proclamation with saying 'You are faithful, to all that you have promised...' Simple, but intruiging, this is excellent as a call to worship song, bringing us together to declare, as one Body, our intention of drawing towards Christ in thanks for His love and faithfulness.

Flowing immediately into the next song, 'All That Matters' continues with the singular devotion of lyric and focus by stating, 'You are all that matters, all that satisfies, all that gives me life'. This upbeat song has a fun tempo along with a bass line that is reminiscient of Brian Doerksen's 'Light the Fire Again'. But the lyric content again is penetrating, saying 'Lord my life is in your hands, you fasion me, you form me. Fulfill your purpose and your plan.' Line after line speaks in surrender, bowing the heart low in submission to Christ's will. Once again, this song is singable and joyfully playable in most worship/praise band settings.

The instrumentation and arrangements simplify and breathe with 'Your Love', a song which is a weave of thankful and love-themed threads. For most of the songs on this album, the writer stays succint and consistent. Largely full of thanks and declaration of God's character, the album majors on lyrics talking about God's faithfulness, love, and (yes) mercy! Arrangements are relatively straightforward, lending opportuntity for swift congregational adoption into church services. As the album rises and falls in tempo and rhythms, the texture of Eogan's voice urges us on, an interesting combination of dry and breathy tones, but with grit enough to call you to attention. And while worship never stops on this album, listening to Heaslip's voice is certainly intruiging. By the sixth track, the feel mellows considerably and the sounds, rhythms and lyrics of an old Kevin Prosch song (Break Our Hearts) are blended as the introduction to a timely rendition of O Come Let Us Adore Him. The singing and spontaneous words of praise and humility echoing from the congregation are retained in this track especially, and it fits beautifully. If you aren't in crumbling posture of humility and abandon along with the lyrics and music of this CD by this point, you might want to check your pulse.

The next song drives straight into heart cry of Heaslip's constant prayer in this project for 'True Intimacy'. Still with bubbling programmed rhythm, percussion and light acoustical arrangements, this song builds and ebs through an honest prayer language of simple devotion to Christ, declaring 'You're all I am longing for'. One other thing that happens a number of times on this CD is a wonderful reminder of the power of congregation refrains sung a capella. Just beautiful! The songs roll on, through pop-rock, brit-rock and anthem sounds and even back to an acoustic guitar and keyboard offering with Heaslip joining label-mate Brian Doerksen singing the song 'The Father's Love'. Wonderful! The album concludes with the title track 'Lord Have Mercy' and the popular Tim Hughes song 'Here I Am To Worship'.

To get a good sense of the CD, I encourage you to check out the audio clips online (there are clips for every song!). After listening to those, hearing Eogan's heart on the online video, and reading the above text transcript of more Q&A with Eogan, I think you will be ready to check out this CD seriously. I liked it enough to give it an Editor's Choice Award, because of the easily adoptable songs, strong lyrical messages of thankfulness and Scripture-themed declarations of God's character, and very fine musical accomplishments and arrangements on this CD. I pray this passion and and music ignites across the earth in ministry as poignant as what the Lord is doing in CORE church and with Eogan Heaslip.

Product Link Mercy - Eoghan Heaslip

Review by
Kim Gentes

A single voice echoes through the halls of an historic church in Dublin, Ireland. Shortly, the voice of that young chorister joins not just a band on a worship recording, but the choir of human history singing an anthem whose message is as old as Abraham, but as timeless as the long awaited return of Christ.

The LORD had said to Abram, 'Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.'

Ever since the call of Abram back in Genesis 12, the challenge to all of us has been to turn our attention to the greatness of God, especially in light of the discouragement of the earthly conditions that surround us. As the title track 'You Shine' plays on, the lyrics synthesize this struggle perfectly, saying:

In this world we will have trouble
But You have overcome the world
You shine brighter than the brightest star...
You shine, filling us with courage and strength
To follow You

Welcome to the the first track of the new worship project 'You Shine', from Brian Doerksen and Integrity Hosanna Music.

In keeping with his modus operandi, Doerksen places his most significant new song offering right on the first track, and in that sense, he also sets the tone for the album. For this album is not just about singing joyful answers (though it certainly does that)- it is about the struggle, the questions, and, yes, the joy of living in the resting place of God's love and strength. For those not familiar with him, Brian Doerksen is a worship leader from the Vineyard tradition, having written dozens of tremendous songs (including Refiner's Fire, Light the Fire Again, and many others) and recorded on over a dozen albums.

This spectacular new album, 'You Shine', palettes a wonderful song spectrum, adding seven newly-written Doerksen songs, four modern classics from his Vineyard repetiore, and a redone version of the church hymn 'It Is Well'.

Certainly the title track is the song which will gain huge acceptance in the global church, through this recording. But I would strongly encourage you to set aside an afternoon or evening and take the journey archived for us on this recording. As the power of the chorus drives home the hopeful message of 'You Shine', the listener is left perfectly at the doorstep of praise for the second song, 'Hallelujah (Your Love is Amazing)'. This popped-up version of the already classic UK Vineyard birthed song will carry your heart through the lyrics with musical bliss running through a path of crisp, exciting electric guitar, celtic bridges with violins, flutes and whistles, and a drum-framed acepella chorus. For the audiophiles, hearing these first two songs will make it clear that there is a level of excellence in this album that places the production on a whole other strata for Brian and his creative crew (who are the some of the same amazing musicians he has been recording with for years).

It is hard to deny the amazing timeliness of these songs. The third song, 'I Am Convinced', speaks succinctly to God's response to the deep sense of fear that has been imbedding North America around this one year anniversary of 9/11. It says

Violence or danger
Hunger or shame
Won't separate us
From the love of God

The song answers wonderfully drawing from the Corinthian text:

So high so wide so measureless, filling eternity
So strong so deep so intimate
Encircling mystery
That nothing can take Your love from me

The next few songs walk through Gaelic prayers with 'You Surround Me', the Vineyard classics with 'Faithful One', and the deeply personal struggles of life with 'Your Faithfulness'. I won't talk through all the great songs on this album, but would very strongly encourage you to spend time listening and praise and worshipping along with this album. You should especially highlight the following songs when searching for materials usable in your local church, and with your music and worship teams: 'You Shine', 'Hallelujah', 'I Am Convinced', 'Faithful One', 'Hope of the Nations', 'I Lift My Eyes Up', 'With All My Affection' and a lyrically updated version of 'Come Now is the Time to Worship' (includes new second chorus).

You will love this new recording from Brian Doerksen, and will find it an ample archive of excellent new songs for your local church. Thankfully, Integrity's Hosanna music brand has made this a useful church resource, by making available accompanying songbook and split tracks products as well. From the album liner notes and song stories, the only complaint I would have is a question as to why this project didn't also produce an accompanying VHS/DVD video of the live night of worship. Some of the moments and prayers were so poignant, I am sure it would have been a wonderful experience to share.

And while you will think deeply about the pains and struggles of life as you hear some of the lyrics of these songs, the overwhelming theme of God's powerful hope and love will surge into the forefront of your thoughts as you sing and bless the Lord with the album 'You Shine'. In many ways, Brian Doerksen is relaunching the Hosanna brand for Integrity with this new album, bringing to it sounds and raw passion that echo the heartbeats of so much of the worldwide church.

Don't pass by this new project, or by the great songs it gathers for us. You won't be dissappointed. In keeping with my lauds for this project, I am very happy to give this project our Editor's Choice Award. The great thing is, you don't have to take my word for it, you can check out the RealAudio sound clips for yourself.

Product Link You Shine - Brian Doerksen

Blessings in the Hope of Israel,
Review by Kim Gentes

P.S. Musicians and worship leaders, don't forget to check out the songbook and/or split track resources so you can put these songs to use in your local church

Recently, I was thinking extensively about liturgy, and the concept of 'call to worship' songs. It was in the context of this thinking that I clicked the 'play' button on my portable CD player and let spin the new Vertical Music title 'Much' by the band Ten Shekel Shirt.

The first song, 'Meet With Me' knocked me out! Strictly speaking, this is what you would label a 'call to worship' song, as I mentioned above. But labeling it as such would be akin to calling the Titanic just a boat. The beauty of Lamont Heibert's voice is like a wind whistling in the desert- dry, clean and hunting for waters of life. As the intro layers his voice with acoustic guitar, Heibert leads me from listener to participant in about one stanza. No sooner am I riveted into the prayerful verse, then the chorus erupts with:

As I wait, you make me strong
As I long, you draw me to your arms
As I stand and sing your praise
You come; you come and fill this place.

The arrangement here is absolutely perfect, with an artful use of dynamics. This song is a keeper, and the most useable tune for congregations off of this album.

Moving on to the second track, we find 'Ocean', a song that you have already heard steadily on the Christian radio channels, and in the charts for Christian radio singles.

I have heard a few people trying to equate this group (Ten Shekel Shirt) with other pop or Christian bands. Frankly, that is too bad. While they have some sounds that reminisce with a torrid of other pop/acoustic/worship bands, this group has their own sound and, more importantly, their own call from God. Sent out through YWAM to bring the gospel to the campus of Yale University, they have used music to speak the message of Jesus to students hungry for a real God. 'Ocean' reflects the meditative timbre of their message, where a very present God is both near us, and surrounding us, in His closeness and vastness.

As we move to 'Sweet Embrace', we find another wonderful song of praise that is easily useable with a worship team/band. This is just one of those infectious songs that grows on you more and more as you listen. Speaking straight to God, this song will work its way into contemporary services and youth services everywhere. The fourth track leans back tempo-wise and, like Ocean, reflects on how we can feel empty and tired when we take our focus off of God's love. But it leads from there to the solution- 'so I fall on my knees...'

The next track, 'Unashamed Love' settles into the prayerful surrender that this album returns to often. On this album, musically, you will hear acoustic guitar, electric, some rock organ, and well-placed violin/strings, along with the standard rock rhythm section.

As the tracks roll on, through the title track 'Much', to 'Come Away' and ending at 'Great', the diversity of this CD is echoed in lyrics and arrangement. From powerful and driven (Come Away) to soft surrender (Great), this project shines among a sea of sameness in the 'worship' music genre of albums.

This CD was a slam-dunk selection for the Editor's Choice Award, and it should be a slam-dunk for anyone who hears this band. Proof of this was crystal clear around our offices at WorshipMusic.com, when complimentary copies of the sampler CD were vanishing, and the CD could be heard on just about everybody's CD-ROM player in the complex. This is the only CD that I remember our entire staff hounding me to review. And why not; they were right- this CD rocks! Worship God!

Product Link Much - Ten Shekel Shirt

Review 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