Kim Gentes

Inspiration, engagement, anthems, compassion and justice. These are the themes that stream into the mind when one thinks of the modern student movement and conferences known as Passion/268 Generation and its visible leaders Louie Giglio and Chris Tomlin. These themes and impact have only solidified and intensified with the latest edition of their live conference worship recordings, "Passion 2013: Let The Future Begin". With unrelenting stadium rock anthems, excellent lyrical songs and a great live engagement experience caught on the recording, this album continues the tradition of making Passion not only an influential musical voice to the college generation but a perennial provider to the liturgical sound track of the modern church.

Since Passion's first release in 1998, their annual conference has fueled both original songs and re-arrangements of great choruses and hymns from the Christian church song catalog. This project brings a huge collection of songs that are all usable and very thoughtful. One of the things that marks this release is the use of several voices across its track list. No less than eight different worship leaders lead this collection of 15 new tracks (there are only 14 on the regular version, but an extra track on the deluxe version). What this does for a lengthy "live" album like this conference recording is make it much more of an experience than just a collage of top songs. With a consistent sound canvas and band playing, these songs leap off the tracks and engage the heart in a worshipful experience.

Beginning with "God's Great Dance Floor", Chris Tomlin kicks off this album with pop/dance 8th notes that have both the conference crowd and the album listener clapping and surrendering their hearts in energetic praise. This is the 3rd album that this song has appeared on recently, and I have found it invitational and inspiring a song. While it is not likely a song that every congregation will jump to use, because of its dance/pop arrangement, it is perfect for almost every youth group and celebrative praise time that comes to mind. If your musicians can can play it, prepare to start the party!

The second track, "The Lord Our God" is one of the most usable songs on this album. Led and co-written by Kristian Stanfill, this song is a declarative listing of the glorious attributes of the Lord our God. It is a song that combines (in a bridge) those characteristics of God with a declaration from the worshiper to follow God's lead by committing to: 

We won't move without You
We won't move without You
You're the light of all and all that we need

At its core, this song carries the message and undergirded values of the Passion conferences- to make His name famous (Passion's mission statement is based on Isaiah 26:8 which says "...for Your Name and renown are the desire of our souls"). A great medium/fast tempo song with excellent lyrical and Biblically based content.

Track three is "Jesus, Only Jesus", a new song led by Matt Redman (who, like most of the tracks on this project are led by one of the writers of the song being sung). This song is melodic, powerful and very well crafted musically. Like all the songs on this album, I went through them with my guitar, playing along to learn, enjoy and ascertain how I might use these songs in worship times. I really loved this song. It has a unique musical twist in this song, in that the hook of the song contains a single phrase that changes the time signature for one bar. The song is in 3/4 time, but the hook line uses a bar of 4/4 for each iteration. This can be tricky at first, but after you practice it, it fits well. The song is well-worth the time it may take to learn to play it.

"Once And For All" is a great new song as well, another anthem that rings with great music, melodies and most of all some excellent theological concepts said well in succinct language. Some of the the lyrics use Christological language not normally seen in worship songs, borrowing liberally from the ancient creeds, such as these selected lines

He is the light in the darkness
Who took on flesh and took our place...
We believe our God is Jesus...
Jesus, Jesus, God from God, Light from Light

These are deeply theological and meaningful statements that call the worshiper to investigate the claims of such a song. It is certain that such writing will have congregants asking leaders and pastors what lyrics such as "God from God, Light from Light" mean. And this is a very good thing. Understanding the nuances of how such central faith statements have come about can only be a positive to any local church community and the spiritual growth of the people. In fact, what is an undertone in a number of tracks across this recording is the language of the ancient creeds and deeper theological statements. From the song just mentioned to "In Christ Alone" to "The Death of Death" and others- this album's pop/rock sound belies the profound lyrical foundations on which some of these songs are built, and this is a joy to discover.

The album continues through spiritual hunger song "Burning In My Soul", and the now church standard "Revelation Song" and into "Children of Light" a call to "rise up children of light" (which, with its overwrought "whoah- oh oh oh" lyrics sounds like a lot of superfluous cheer leading that abandons the strength of the rest of the album). But moving on through this project, track after track testifies powerfully with exceptional lyrics and great music, making this perhaps the best collection of new songs ever to appear on a Passion album. Yes, it is that good, and that extensive. Other songs that you must check out include "Whom Shall I Fear" (led by Tomlin), "Come to the Water" (led by Kristian Standfill), "In Christ Alone" (led by Stanfill, this is the best revision of this song I have ever heard- excellent additional bridge and more singable than any other arrangement of this song) and dubiously named "The Death of Death" by Charlie Hall. Really, be sure to listen to every track on this project and find out what would best fit your local congregation. It is truly worth hearing.

But I would be remiss if I didn't give a special recognition to the standout song on this project. My favorite song on this album is a simple but incredibly poignant surrender song "Here's My Heart" led by David Crowder (written by Giglio, Ingram and Tomlin). This song reminds me lyrically of Brenton Brown's "Surrender" or Hillsong "I Give You My Heart" (Reuben Morgan). This text of this song is a powerful offering of the soul given up to God through simple lyrics that present the one gift God looks for in our worship- the human heart, will and obedience.  If you absolutely are looking for one amazing song, this may become your favorite new song of 2013. It is mine.

Let me be clear- when I listen to a project from a group that has high popularity or notoriety, such as Passion, Hillsong or Jesus Culture, I am especially critical of their projects primarily because I don't want to recommend music based on the commendations of their namesake or past success to guide the value of a current project. With that understanding, I was armed intently to investigate this release. But instead of having a stoic critique of this project, the thorough and wonderful application of thoughtful lyrics, excellent music, melodic songs and a seamless live experience make this album the latest winner of my "Editor's Choice Award". It is really that good.

For churches using WorshipTeam.com, all of the songs, chord charts, lyrics and audio from this album are already available and pre-loaded for you in the WorshipTeam.com system song database.

If you are not part of WorshipTeam.com and want to listen to audio samples or purchase the album directly yourself, see the Amazon link below.

In the last month, I have been listening to the newest album from Gateway Worship called "Great Great God". Listening, yes- and loving it! In it's short history, Gateway church in Southlake, Texas has been the seedbed to some great new songs, leaders and songwriters. With worship leaders/songwriters like Thomas Miller, Walker Beach, and Kari Jobe (among others), both the recordings and the songs coming out of Gateway have been top notch music and vibrant songwriting. This latest album, Great Great God, is no exception to that trend.

The album kicks off with the rhythmic and anthemic "Every Day I Live", led by Thomas Miller. Declaring that: 

Every moment, for Your glory, every breath I give You praise

All my days I'm living in Your grace

Every heartbeat wants to know You, now I live to make You known

I wanna show the world You are the God who saved my soul

Miller leads this live album off with a congregational energy and joy that enthusiastic, but stays authentic and in the tradition of declarative praise of commitment to the Lord. Great stuff!

The second track is "Sun & Sheild" and brings the congregation to a further exalting of God's attributes as our "sun and shield", allowing us to put our trust in the God who is our strength in times of need. I like the lyrics and focus of this song, which pinpoints our weakness as the moment and place in which we need to turn our hopes and trust over to God. Very well crafted.

The third song is a brilliant rendition of the classic "Holy Holy Holy" (Dykes and Heber), but with a wonderful refrain which is perfectly written to compliment this timeless song of theological depth. The added section (written by Walker Beach) pays a resounding tribute to the content already present in the song- speaking of God's Lordship, kingship and eternal nature.  After hearing dozens of remakes of various hymns by Tomlin and others, this remake of this georgeous hymn actually surprised me! In my opinion, this is literally the best "modern worship" revision of any classic hymn in the last 15 years. It is easily my favorite song on the album. 

Kari Jobe takes the lead vocals on the next track, drawing the pensive and beautiful tones of her voice into a peaceful ballad that flows with just piano and gentle strings as compliment. No drums, no guitars- just a simple and inviting call of devotion that leaves every worshiper calling out to God- "You're my everything". 

The album continues with three more tracks that reverberate with strong declarations of God's goodness and greatness. The final song highlights this as the title track "Great Great God", declaring "there is no one like our God".

Gateway Worship's "Great Great God" is lives up to its namesake title of being another great contribution of songs from the writers and leaders at Gateway. Though this is more an EP length contribution that past albums (7 original songs), it is well worth your attention, especially if you are a worship leader looking for great songs for Sunday morning.  I can't reiterate it enough- the third track on this project is really the best hymn remake in the last 15 years. Take a look at this project, if even just for that song, and it will be well worth your time.

For churches using WorshipTeam.com, all the songs, chord charts and audio are already available and pre-loaded for you in the WorshipTeam.com system song database.

If you want to listen to audio samples or purchase the album directly yourself, see the Amazon link below. A great new album!

Amazon Link: http://amzn.to/yS3HCa

Review by Kim Gentes

Once in a while an album comes along that surprises you with great songs, capturing melodies and effusive worship. In the "normal" course of things, a strong project might contain one great song and maybe another good song. Rarely would you find a project with 3 or 4 truly top notch songs. But in 2006, a growing church in the Dallas metroplex released an album called "Living For You". The ministry of Gateway Church and its worship department was introducing its cadre of songwriters and leaders to the country for the first on a broad scale.  This inaugural release was not the first project Gateway worship had produced, but it was the first one released through Integrity Music, a group that has consistently mined a large portion of the most used songs in America over the last 25 years.

"Living For You" delivers no less thirteen prestine tracks, with four phenomenal songs, including one of the most popular songs in the world today in the blissful modern rendition of the trisagion prayer entitled Revelation Song. If you haven't heard this top 5 CCLI song at least once in the last 5 years, its likely you haven't been to church. For pastoral leaders and teachers Revelation Song was quickly accepted because it both glorified God with direct language and used mostly Scriptural quote and reference to fill and inform its lyrics. For worship leaders and musicians everywhere Revelation Song proved an irrisistable combination of excellent lyrical content and refreshing musical variety, giving the pop-worship 1-4-5 musical mantra a needed rest. Which of us worship leaders wasn't delighted to find a well-written song with a great melodic hook that made good use of a minor 5th and flatted 7th prominently styled into the song?

Other songs from this album, which have also found broad acceptance across the church, are You, You Are God, The More I Seek You and Thomas Miller's modern revision of the classic Come Thou Fount, Come Thou King. These songs are all incorporated with a top notch musical presentation into the "Living For You" album. Listening to this project, you will find moments of explosive praise, enthralling worship and absolute abandon. One forgets that the musical leaders on this project have become well known, because this project reflects none of the trappings of "stardom" that seem to come as quickly to Christian worship leaders as they do to pop stars.  The album feels and sounds like an authentic voice of a local church giving its all in song and worship to God. You will be drawn in and find yourself prayerful, praiseful and heavenward as you take the journey of the songs represented here.

If you haven't already put this project on your playlist, get the mp3 album and enjoy some great songs as you worship.

Product Link: Living For You - Gateway Worship

Review by Kim Gentes