Kim Gentes

Raw & unashamed - this is the sound of "Burn Service" CD, the new release of youth oriented worship from Vineyard! In an earlier review of a recent Vineyard CD ("It's All About Jesus"), I referred to a new sound in Vineyard Music that is starting to hit stride with truly "new" and truly "fresh" music. And not "new & fresh" at the expense of truly God-centric worship! In "Hungry" (from UK/B. Doerksen) the sound was more progressive rock, here the sound/style is  Americana, country-fied rock. The point is that the style has less to do with the "freshness" than the authenticity of the music, the context and songwriting.

You can check out the sound clips at Vineyard's site here!

One of the signs of revival in church history has been repentance. The Burn Service CD is a venture into musical repentance and prayer. It is this state of heart that has typified the music of the modern day flames of revival. While I absolutely love the sound of this CD musically, what gets you "there" for the Burn CD is the abandon of "self" posed in these song lyrics. Ryan Delmore, Darren Clarke & Jesse Lane lead these songs with uncommon passion. It is clear right from the start that this CD holds nothing back, and pretends nothing! People praying to God in song; speaking their weaknesses; crying out for God's holiness to truly consume and change them. These folks are "tired of lukewarm living" and sing for God to "set me on fire"- the text and title of the opening cut.

"Refreshing" would be too subtle a word to describe this CD. The powerful themes, driving guitar, and abandon vocals make this whole CD more like "gut-wrenching" (and I mean that is a good way). Have you ever had a time when repentance was so deep on your heart that you just wept or called out or repented until your soul was empty? Have you ever read the Psalms and contemplated how the writers were really feeling in penning those songs? Now you are seeing the kind of raw passion I am talking about. Somehow, Vineyard managed to capture the essence of intensity that was going on with this time worship. It is awesome!

In listening to a CD for review, I tend to find myself getting drawn into the technical and musical components of a recording, in order to provide a complete review. I found it almost impossible to keep my mind on "evaluating" this CD - there was just too much worship going on! For those willing, this project rushes you into the presence of God in a firestorm of music, scripture-based lyrical themes and passionate prayer. Don't be fooled by imitations- this is the real thing! With the haunting texture of vocals by Delmore and Lane especially, the guitar powered liturgy of the Burn Service is very inviting. This CD gives you a look into the music and hearts of the 20-something generation of today.

Starting with "Set Me On Fire", the worship band lays their hearts out on the table for God. Moving to the second song, Jesse Lane leads an investigation into our lives as "New Creation"s, using 2 Corinthians 5:17 and Galatians 2:20 as underpinnings for this song. The driving groove and repeating 4 powerchord progression makes this an excellent rock contribution. On the topic of musical style, you will notice this CD slips into a country-esqe songs with "Real Love", "I Will Praise You", and "Your Love Reaches Me". "Real Love" is a simple ballad of the search for God's real love. The fourth song, "Father", re-iterates the cry of prayer that these worship leaders keep coming back to. Like "Set Me On Fire", "Father" restates that we truly need God in light of our emptiness. Like many of these songs on this CD, this is a song worth of air play on CCM radio. Unique and edgy, yet simple and with a singable "hook", this is very good material, even at an entertainment level (though, clearly that is not the intention of this music). In my opinion, Vineyard Music should look at promoting this CD to CCM/Alt radio, if they haven't already done that- but more on that topic at the end of the review.

My favorite cut from this entire album comes up next, with "Shepherd". This song is a great, singable, rock anthem, once again re-visiting the theme of trading our weakness for God's strength and coming up with the conclusion that simply-

"You are my Shepherd, and I will follow You,
I abandon my will and yield to Yours"

Taking lyrical content of the sixth track, "I Will Praise You", returns to the book Psalms, with chapter 42 (verse 5) outlining the lyrics source for this song. Another very singable, usable song for worship. The next song, "Let It Come" has a sound that is about as late-60's/early 70's as I have ever heard on a Vineyard album. Another retro sound is rekindled a little in the background vocals of track 9 ,"Friend". The album moves on through "All My Days" and "Surely Goodness and Mercy", once again returning the to Psalms for content, while keeping the beat strong and the guitar chords crunching along to sing to. Very nice, and you don't feel like the album gets stuck on a "blah" song anywhere along the way. The CD finishes with a wonderful love song, "I Love Your Presence". I really liked this song, ambient in the verse, but building into a chorus of thankfulness that gets more and more contagious. Excellent worship material here.

As you can tell, this CD comes with my highest recommendation- the "Editor's Choice" award. Even so, there are some things this project doesn't come with- and that worries me some. First, this project is put out to document Vineyard music as it is being employed in worship throughout their churches. So you might think that Vineyard would encourage the use of the materials through the publication of the printed music for this great project- but you would be wrong. With a great project and no printed music, the songs (though loved) may well go unused in just the contexts they would likely most useful- churches! My hope is that Vineyard puts forward the effort to print an accompanying songbook. The second thing this project does not come with is promotion. I looked through several trade magazines and found no mention of the Burn Service CD, except on a "shared" ad with 4 albums and another music label. I found no strong promotion of it from the distributors either. I also contacted Vineyard Music to ask them what their plans were for this series "Y-Worship", hoping to hear some good news about this bold new direction that Vineyard was taking. Carla Turner, Manager of Media Relations for Vineyard Music, said that "Y-Worship" is the "imprint" under which Vineyard will target future youth oriented projects coming out of the Vineyard movement. According to Carla, there are tentative plans for future releases under the "Y-Worship" brand. With no specific projects already in production, one hopes this is not a "one-time" CD for the "Y-Worship" series from Vineyard.

All that said, Burn Service is a great product from Vineyard. Incredibly useful in worship, yet their most progressive work to date. This CD, along with "It's All About Jesus", and the two UK releases from Brian Doerksen ("Winds of Worship #12" and "Hungry") have loaded my church (and many others) with a excellent cache of great new songs.

Product Link The Burn Service - Vineyard Music

blessings
Kim G.

Another level! That is how I describe the latest project from the increasingly popular catalog of projects from PDI Music. 'Everlasting' releases a new level of musicality, production, and diversity for the listeners of PDI music. From the series, Come & Worship, this latest CD takes on the 'big' labels with excellent musical presentation and very strong song selection.

The project opens with 'I'm Calling Out', a dynamic song of God's faithfulness and our need to call out! Well written, the lyrics simple, but not simplistic. Songwriter Mark Altrogge gifts us with this song of paradox, by comparing (in the manner of Proverbs) our attempts at reaching God to the provisions He has already made to enfold us. Excellent biblical based content while being singable and worshipful! Just take a look at the first half of the chorus of this song, a sample of excellent lyric writing :

So I'm calling out To You who called me I'm holding on To You who holds me I'm seeking You Who came and sought me in my sin

Moving on, 'Great Is Your Faithfulness' is another nicely singable and scriptural based song, again by Altrogge. Next, we run into the title track, 'Everlasting'. For a minute you may think your CD changer moved over to your Jars of Clay CD, as the into and musical interludes of this song mix a nicely rhythmic and acoustic sound with a string quartet from heaven. This is one song in which the listener can hear the strong increase in production and musical presentation put into this sixth edition of the Come & Worship series from PDI. Nicely complimentary percussion, and violin parts make some beautiful listening and worshipful sounds.

I am not sure why, but my favorite song on this entire CD is next with 'This Fathomless Love'. Maybe it is the hintings of Celtic sound, the 6/8 feel, the ringing vocals, or the gut-wrenching lyrics.. who knows, but it works for me! Even writing this review now, I am listening to this song for about the 30 or 40th time, and it still causes me to say 'yes, Lord' as I pray and sing along.

But you don't have to agree with me on the favorite song to LOVE this CD. 'Your Love Is Higher', 'For Your Glory Alone' and 'I Love The Cross' add to the sizeable list of singable and useable songs on this project! 'I Love The Cross' is a simple, but heartfelt, cry of thanks for God's sacrifice. At times this CD stretches quite far vocally and stylistically, making it tougher in some songs to consider them for strong congregation use. Particularly, 'More than Life Itself', 'I Must Have You' and 'For Me' make for excellent solo presentations, with some reaching notes and rushing lyrics in a more CCM style. Having twelve excellent songs, though, it is nice to have the diversity of this CD.

The climax of this project is the song 'I Bow Down'. Ethereal and flowing, visions of the Titanic movie love theme will no doubt come to you as you listen. Super clean vocals with pristine acoustic guitar work, this song could be the track to any movie! Surprise- it is! This tremendous trek of devotion is appearing on the new 'Searching for True Love' videos by best-selling author Joshua Harris (I Kissed Dating Goodbye).

Though not a progressive stylistic project, this CD is excellent and solid with content and very good production.

Product Link http://www.sovereigngracemusic.org/albums/category/sovereign_grace_music/everlasting

Review by Kim Gentes

There is a certain quality that God blesses some with. It is musical, yet it is more than notes. It is confidence, yet it is more than personality. It is giftedness, yet it is more than prodigy for the sake of self glorification. It is that certain something we have found in those that don't just excel, they expand and explore. We have met these people; people like Kevin Prosch, Martin Smith, Darrell Evans, and Brian Doerksen. Meet another one of those people - Kate Miner! And meet the new project "Live Worship from the Strip" out of the new praise and worship label "Sovereign Productions".

All this "newness" might seem like just a fashionable trend to those not aware of the heritage coming with this great worship project. While a new company, Sovereign is no small outfit or a fly-by-night garage recording studio. Run by some of the same people that brought you the new sound of Vineyard music, when it was still "new", Sovereign is headed by worship veteran Carl Tuttle. With worship leader Kate Miner, Sovereign has come out of the gate with an awesome debut project in "Live Worship from the Strip".

Right from the intro, you get the feeling this CD was going to burst with expression. The first cut, "Dream Before You", feels part rock club, part beckoning love song. It isn't long before you realize this CD is no cookie cutter experience. At times Miner's vocals and lyrics become so intimate, it pushes the listener to the precipice of decision- I am either going to participate with this (and worship), or I am shutting this thing off. There isn't much room for "fluff" in any song on this CD. Miner is intense and overwhelming as an artist. Songs like "Dream Before You" and "Better Is One Day" make the point with Pat Benatar-esque vocal power and Delirious?-esque rhythms and strength.

The intensity and raw intimacy don't just reside in rock ballads and driving beats. "Hung The Moon" becomes my favorite cut from the project, as Miner sings a song from God to us, expressing His incredible providence. Hearing Scripture crafted in song and then sung like this is as beautiful as it is riveting. One thing this CD does is leave behind any traces of the pop country/jazz/easy listening 70's sound that has pervaded much of the praise & worship "sound" since the early 80's. This project is clearly rock. There is lots of adoration on this album too - check out "Holy Spirit Come". Excellent.

On the way to making this completely live project a reality, the crisp, cleanness of a studio sound is sacrificed, no doubt about it. But Miner doesn't care, and neither should you. As she powers her voice to heaven, you will wonder how you ended up belting it out along with her (as the man in the car in the next lane looks at you like you're going berserk).

To quote Matt Redman (who listened to a preview copy of the CD) :

"It's 'Intimacy' with guts!"

Enough said! Run, don't walk, and get this great new rock praise & worship CD.

Product Link Live from the Strip - Kate Miner

blessings
Kim G.

p.s. For those who didn't know, the album 'Intimacy' was the original title of Matt's project that came out in the US under the title "Heart Of Worship".

Editor note: this review was originally written in 1999, and like many things in the music industry much has changed, including, sadly, the demise of the company that produced this recording.

While most of our reviews have centered around products that don't get a lot of attention (either through retail advertising or simply an indie), one of the things I have noticed in the last couple of years is the waning influence of Vineyard's Touching the Father's Heart series on the list of "new songs" being used by churches. Partly because of the insurgence of the UK worship songs, increase of similar music from other labels in the US, and growth of indies, the TFH series has been less than the "staple" of excellent song selection it has been in the period of 1994-1996. With a string of ho-hum projects like "Receive Your Praise", "I Love Loving You", "I Love Your Ways" and "I Just Want To Thank You", Vineyard Music has not helped themselves a lot. Additionally, much of Vineyard Music focus recently has been on a flurry of collections, remixed oldies, and "best of's", making the even the most ardent of Vineyard worship fan crinkle a brow.

But alas, things are looking up! One thing Vineyard has done since early days (under the direction of John Wimber) is to foster the constant birthing of new songs. That kind of real encouragement can't go too long before another crop of good fruit comes due. The most recent addition to the TFH series is just one such "pick" of recent fruit from Vineyard Music. Along with the new project "The Burn Service", this CD has indicated a strong crop of usable and fresh music from Vineyard.

So let's dive in to this CD, "It's All About Jesus"!

To kick it off, this CD begins with a karate chop to the chin of P&W project "formula" of starting with an upbeat song and fading to slow. Instead of hyping us up, pumping the emotions, and playing to our expectations, they start off with the song "Stand Back". This song moves from the contemplative position of encouraging us all to "stand back" and let God move. Writing the lyrics in synch with musical feel, Scott Underwood lets the song grow, building intensity. In an attitude of "standing back" and letting God move, the song ebbs you into the presence of God as you refocus why we worship. This song eases into your heart, and just as you get the point of it, you run into the title track, "It's All About Jesus".

Easy to sing and powerful in message, this song exemplifies the musical contribution that Vineyard has placed in modern praise & worship over the last several years- easy lyrics, simply played music, contagious melodies, and unashamed intimacy. While it isn't as reflective and haunting as the Matt Redman "Heart Of Worship", it doesn't have to be. Still, the messages are the same, and there is no doubt a number of people who will get the two songs confused just by title.

The trek continues through Simple Prayer, a vintage Terry Butler song rife with accidentals (those keyboard players :) and the lyrical message of God's holiness. Another nice touch on the first "set" of this project is the modern hymn "My Soul Finds Rest" by Mary McLean. Not a redone oldie, but a revisitation to themes of "On Christ the Solid Rock", complete with 3/4 time and beautifully spacious notes.

The second "set" is led by Danny Daniels. Track eight heralds a wonderful song "Faithful Love". A great songwriting contribution by Rita Springer and nice vocals by Paula Bowers make this a [repeat] track on most CD players. Danny Daniels chimes in with "River Of Delight", a soft congregational declaration of what we will do at the coming of Christ. Another song that builds with intensity, "River Of Delight" leads well into the 70s country/rock sounding "Lord I Lift Up My Voice". A signature of Danny Daniels songwriting and leading, this song reminisces of the straight forward praise of his classic "Glory". Thereafter comes a couple of songs from Mark McCoy, lifting the worship into much more upbeat praise. "Messiah" is an excellent moving rock ballad that calls out to Christ. "Messiah" hints at a blues feel, and that gets re-ignited in the next song. "Sow In Tears" has strong musical composition, though it misses singable and well-paced lyrics that typically accompany Vineyard songs. The trek of nostalgia doesn't end until the song "We Will Run", when Danny Daniels wraps up the set with another declarative song, but this one has a 60s feel. A nice praise song telling God how we will run to Him.

And just when you were sitting back and thinking you were finished, the great surprise of the album happens- "Wonderful"! Appropriately titled, this song is jumps and hops into praise for God. I was unsure as to the language of the lyrics in the intro line of the song, but Vineyard Music assures me it is that oft sought after language of aboriginal Australian. Apparently the word "Humbia" means "yahoo" (not to be confused with the website) or "yippee". I didn't need to call VMG to get the intention of the song, though. Contagious and upbeat, you will be bouncing throughout the day as this tune rings through your head. This would be a great song to alter, by fixing a "yippee" in your favorite local dialect over the current "humbia" ('course, you'll want to make sure that's covered on your CCLI license and such ;) .

Overall, I think this CD represents the meatiest offering from Vineyard in some time. Though not as creative a musical effort as "You Shelter Me", from the same TFH series, the songs are certainly more useable and likely to be used in the local church. You won't love all the songs on this album, but you will like 3 or 4. Your friend across town will like a different 3 or 4. Your friend across country will like another 3 or 4. You get the picture- a little something for everyone, without fluff anywhere.

Nicely done Vineyard Music! Welcome back.

The project also has an accompanying songbook and split tracks, for those worship leaders who intend to use the songs.

Product Link It's All About Jesus: Touching the Father's Heart

Review by Kim Gentes

Back in July, I took a few days and traveled out to CBA convention, which is THE big "show" for anyone involved in Christian retailing. My purpose was find new vendors of worship related products and see what companies had a heart for worship by meeting the people of those companies. On one of the evenings I had the opportunity to meet several people from PDI Music, the worship and praise group from the PDI Ministries and local church movement. Prior to that, I had not much knowledge of them, or their music. That has definitely changed! This month we are very pleased to announce the addition of the entire "Come & Worship" series from PDI. When I got home to Arizona, I grabbed one of the recent PDI song samplers, duplicated it on to my cassette, and began listening to it on the way to and from work each day.

I got hooked! Soon, I was trolling our CD inventory for an indepth look at the PDI albums. My standout favorite? "Lift A Shout", which is a live worship CD with worship leader Bill Patton. I really liked the quality of songs on this CD! It was clear that they weren't just pumping out a CD to meet a deadline- no these were real worship songs, with real annointing! To start with, "Shout" (title cut) really groves! I liked the instrumentation, but you don't get lost with any of the songs on this CD. They are meant for worship, and they work for worship! I found my self muttering "shout, lift a shout" under my breath all day long.

Their are some very nice arrangements on this CD as well, and they do well with execution for those who are looking for good musicality. But what is the one single best thing about this CD? Fast becoming my new favorite song-

After hearing about a dozen songs with nearly the same title (Vineyard/Craig Musseau's "Good To Me"; Vertical Darrel Evan's "So Good To Me"; et al), I figured the topic was pretty much worn out with great songs. WRONG! Steve & Vicki Cooke (songwriters) have given the Body of Christ a wonderful gift in this song. I love a good hook when I hear it, and this song really have a good hook. You won't get this out of your brain, even if you want to (which you won't). The rest of the CD is laced with "Vineyard-esque" style songs, but with a notably more praise oriented slant.

One final note- the first 5 projects in the PDI Come & Worship series contains about 8 songs on each CD, not quite the "standard" number of songs on a typical praise & worship CD. the reason? They kept the good ones! Trust me, I have listened to far too many CDs that should have pared back the filler and been honest with people and present 6-8 excellent worship tunes, rather than milk a CD for extra songs that don't deserve to go "to the nations". I thank PDI for going through the process of giving us 8 excellent songs!

Product Link http://www.sovereigngracemusic.org/albums/category/sovereign_grace_music/lift_a_shout

Review by Kim Gentes