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.
Friday, August 17, 2007 at 1:39PM 
This is a tremendous new indie CD that we are very excited about. This CD is a studio recording of a worship leader from the Valparaiso, Indiana Vineyard church. Frankly, this CD has the absolute best sound and production of any indie CD I have ever listened to. The musical presentation is arranged and mixed on par with ANY "big" company CD I have listened to, and eclipses most of those.
But the best part of the CD is the content of the songs. Musically enjoyable, and very accessable for churches, the list of songs is almost entirely authored by the worship leader, Sheri Keller. She has a gift for writing, and this project makes that point. The opening cut is just awesome (called "new song"). Only one song is not authored by Sheri, and that is the wonderful Doug Horley song "We Want To See Jesus Lifted High".
I have also heard 3 editions of that song on various projects. This CD is far-and-away the best, most inspirational rendition of that.
The clincher for this CD is the lead vocals, on which Sheri Keller unleashes some serious worship. My first question when I listened to this CD was "why isn't this person signing on with a CCM label?" Her voice and execution on the songs is easy that good. I guess that is what impressed me alot about the project- while the artistry level is way beyond what is usually heard in churches, the intensity of worship is at an equally high level.
Product Link http://www.worshipmusic.com/sk-btld.html
Review by Kim Gentes
album, award, better than life, cd, indie, music, project, release, sheri carr, sheri keller, vineyard, worship in Awards, CD Review, Music Review