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.
Monday, September 19, 2011 at 8:39PM 
"Your love never fails,
It never gives up,
It never runs out on me. "
This is the anthem call of the newest album from Vineyard Music's Jeremy Riddle.
Some projects come loaded with great music. Some with great songwriting. Some with timely message that is beyond both music and lyrics- a sense in which now is the time for us to all to sing a song together.
Today releases the 3rd album from Jeremy Riddle, worship leader and songwriter. One listen to this album and you are immediately struck by Jeremy's desire to be set on fire by God, his unconcern for following a formula and his ernest contrition in songwriting. On the fuel of Jeremy's great vocals, songwriting and passion, producers Bobby Hartry and Ed Cash deliver the best album yet from Jeremy Riddle.
Having heard all of his past published work, including studio and live projects, this album "Furious" represents the most diverse venture yet for Jeremy. Diverse on two main fronts- musical style and songwriting. Stylistically, Furious journeys to acoustic ambient sounds (Fall Afresh, Here, Always), wall-of-sound rhythmic song (Furious), soft rock melody (Love Came Down), building pop/rock anthems (One Thing Remains, You Are Good, One Thirst and Hunger, Glory To The Lamb, The Lord Is My Shepherd), and pensive minor ballad (Walk In The Promise).
I love the hills and valleys of tempo, instrumentation and lyrics given place in this album. It doens't run you over with a frieght train of hard-driving rock anthems, and doesn't lose structure with tiresome endless introspective songs. There are great prayer songs here, but they range from the hungry-call songs like Fall Afresh and Always to declarative scripture prayers like The Lord Is My Shepherd.
The albums adds some encouraging diversity to Jeremy's songwriting, with many songs co-written by Bethel church songwriters (Jeremy's home church). Writers Brian Johnson, Jeremy Edwardson and Christa Black bring added freshness to the songs of this album, taking it beyond the wonderful but limited range of Jeremy's past recordings. The stand out church favorite will doubtless be "One Thing Remains (Your Love Never Fails)", which has already become a very fast rising favorite in churches around the world.
My favorite tracks are Furious, One Thing Remains (Your Love Never Fails), with The Lord Is My Shepherd being my standout favorite. This album is georgeous music, free from a style rut, well-written and encouraging. One thread that follows through a great number of the songs is the encouraging, grace-filled messages of the song lyrics. A thankful heart resounds on nearly every song, and it lifts us all up to join with Jeremy as he sings:
If the storms of life they come
And the road ahead gets steep
I will lift these hands in fatih, I will believe
I remind myself of all the You've done
And the life I have because of Your Son
Come take this journey and lift your heart to the Son. A great album, and a beautiful musical narrative of God's love! Furious is my Editor's Choice Worship Album for 2011.
Available already at WorshipTeam.com (full length audio, chord charts and lyrics for subscribers).
Product Link : Audio samples for all 12 tracks available at Amazon
In Him,
Kim Gentes
album, bethel, bobby hartry, brian johnson, ed cash, furious, jjeremy riddle, music, praise, review, vineyard music, worship in Awards, CD Review, Music Review