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.
Saturday, February 9, 2013 at 4:54PM 
[Free Song Download "O My Soul" from Samuel Lane- see at the bottom of the review.]
With subtle motion and smooth tones begins the "The Fire". Like the starting crackle of a freshly lit hearth, this is how Samuel Lane begins to fuel the fire that is this new album from Vineyard Records UK. The intro song, "Take Me With You", doesn't rip a hole out of your speakers. Rather than pouring gasoline onto a bursting bonfire, it sparks, rumbles and gently ignites the rhythms, vocals and instruments that will build into a warm and engaging experience of songs and lyrics that call out passionately to God.
Rolling from that into "Fiery Love", Sam takes the intensity up ever so slightly, building the anticipation nicely from the intro song into this prayer language song, which calls out:
Lift me from my grave and hold me up
With hands that hold the stars, with fiery love
Holy Spirit come, and light me up
With hands that hold the stars, with fiery love
The song rises to a powerful thundering of passion before receding into track three, "O My Soul". Here, Lane ebbs this project back to a rumbling and humble surrender of worship, with dynamics and rhythms that perfectly fit the song lyrics. And this peeks engagingly into big refrains of "Oh my soul, praise, praise Him!" Wonderful!
And so it goes with this album-- ebb, flow, rise, refrain, response, recede and restart the progression. This is not a formula, it seems, for Samuel Lane. It feels more like a discourse of authentic prayers, each one drawing closer to the person of God and surrendering more deeply the person of the worshiper. I have to admit, I was struck by the intimate language and conversational approach that Lane takes on some of these songs. But it is not a nonchalant cavalierism that reduces worship to a "Jesus-is-my-boyfriend" song collection. This is serious, but intimate. God is great, yet He is near. He is the Father which calls and invites us, and Lane has given us real language and theological strength that hold the tension of humanity and its broken, suffering children seeking a holy and mighty God, who deigns to call Himself Father to each of us.
Musically, this project stays tethered to the acoustic foundation that would place Lane in his living room, strumming and picking his guitar. Several songs swell with electric and rhythmic sensibilities and instrumentation. Some songs drift completely into country, even blue-grass/roots sounds complete with banjo and steel string guitars and brushes on the snare drum. But rock is never completely shut out of these tracks. "You Are With Us", "Lead Me Home", and "Glorious" remind us that Vineyard music, both in the US and abroad, has its origins in the rock generation of the 60s, 70's and 80's, whose anthemic soaring progressions still beat in the musical heart of the modern church.
In a way, this album is the most deeply "Vineyard" project I have heard in a very long time. Certainly, it has nuances of the church movement's musical heritage (along with the modern touch of "Mumford & Sons" splattered occasionally). But more than that, this project harkens back to the days when Vineyard music was the vanguard of intimate prayer language in the global church's worship song repertoire. Lane unlocks something reminiscent of John Wimber in his sensibilities and clarity about how scripture can collide with music. And he revisits the eloquence of rhythm and voice that Scott Underwood brought to the mid-90's through his songs and recordings. But at the core of this album's "Vineyard-esque" traits is the lyrical canvas that Samuel Lane paints on- unafraid of our relationship with God the Father, Holy Spirit and Jesus the Son.
I enjoyed this album immensely. And each listen has only increased my appreciation for Lane and love of these songs. After 4 complete journeys through this album, I can tell you there is a lot here and many more hours to spend. Treasures were spent gathering this album together and there are treasures more to be found for anyone willing to listen completely through this entire journey of intimacy, honesty, prayer, surrender, rhythm and joy. One of the best thematically based albums I have experienced in the last 10 years.
For churches looking for great worship songs, I have two suggestions to start with from this album. First is "Father", the fourth track on this album. It is one of the most arresting lyrical prayers I have heard put to a sonic pallette. Truly engaging and easy to place in the deepest part of your intimate worship sets. Second, is the building and upbeat song "You Are With Us". This song is a rolling celebration of God's immanence and the joy of assurance that comes with being in the very presence of the very God. Really, this is a very good song and deserves a listen by almost every congregation doing modern worship styled songs.
Because of the strong songs, excellent thematic elements and seamless threading of all musical elements from top to bottom, this album gets my endorsement as the latest awarded "Editor's Choice". Don't hesitate to get this project, try it with your church band and use these songs!
For churches using WorshipTeam.com, all of the songs, chord charts, lyrics and audio 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.
Amazon Link: http://amzn.to/15u2Z9A
worshiping Him!
Review by Kim Gentes
Free Song Download "O My Soul" from Samuel Lane
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Many thanks to my friends at Integrity Music / Vineyard Music UK for allowing us to offer this free song download for a limited time. KG..
church, music, praise, sam lane, samuel lane, songs, st. albens, the fire, vineyard, vineyard music, vineyard uk, worship in Awards, CD Review, Music Review 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 Sunday, August 19, 2007 at 3:57PM "You can have Your way
You can have Your way
You can have Your way... "
...this is the naturally supernatural chant that serves as the introit to bring in the lyrical and musical masterpiece that is "Dwell", the new release from Vineyard Music USA. "Dwell" as a musical offering is nothing short of phenomenal, leaving me at a loss to find an album I've liked more in the last 5 years. We will come back to examining the song content, but before that, we have to talk seriously about resourcing the church in worship. In the last several years, I have listened to literally hundreds of praise and worship CDs. A couple of years ago I began to develop a secret "wish list" of what I would consider the "perfect" way to put together a worship project and present it for use to the body of Christ in a music release. Here is that list:
This list came out of seeing so many projects out there, often lacking in some way from having gone "half-way" with any one of the important items mentioned. I am delighted to say that "Dwell" is the first album I have found that to tackle that complete list-and it achieves amazing results.
The intro song and title track, Dwell, is a lyrical epiphany of prayer and scripture woven onto a gorgeous tapestry of instrumentation and enthralling 6/8 rhythm. It reminds us, as all great songs do, that the most evocative renderings of the heart come in simple, succinct, well spoken truths. I can scarcely go a day when these words don't ring in my thoughts:
"Dwell in the midst of us
Come and dwell in this place
Dwell in the midst of us
Come and have Your way"
The remaining two sections of the song are even more poignant, but I will leave them for you to discover (to your delight). I could rant on about this song, but I am convinced that simply allowing you to listen to this song (which you can do online) will be plenty enough to convince you. Plus, the great songs on this album begin with Dwell, and run through nearly every selection included on this project. From Dwell to the amazing upbeat favorite More Than Ever, to the wonderful ballad So In Need, and on through, no "filler" songs made it on this album. To understand what has happened with Vineyard Music USA on this recording, I talked to producer Casey Corum and found that they took a full 2 and a half years collecting the best songs (out of many hundreds) and letting this album grow into the offering that it is today. In my opinion, this is the best collection of new Vineyard songs on a single album since the 1987 release of Glory. If the new direction of Vineyard Music USA is to wait and release an album every 2 years, with this kind of quality, I applaud them! It will take me over a year to introduce my congregation to all the great songs I want to use from off of this CD, anyways!
For just a brief moment, I have to mention the amazing musicianship on this CD. You can read the liner notes for yourself, but consider for a moment that this CD uses the best musicians connected with Vineyard Music from around the world. This serves up a truly great album in a way that it will be listened to again and again to anyone who lends an ear.
The coup de grace for the Dwell project doesn't actually come from the audio CD itself. Even though the CD includes chord charts, lyric masters on a CD-ROM format, the real resourcing is placed on to the 6 Gigabyte monstrosity of a DVD that they have called a "Dwell Toolbox". It might be more aptly titled, the "Dwell Toolshed" or the "Dwell Home-Improvement Super Store of Worship Resources", but I suppose that doesn't exactly roll off the tongue like "Dwell Toolbox". Let me explain! The DVD comes FREE with the album when you buy the CD, and this may come off as good and bad. Good, because you get resources that are the best I have seen for any worship project released ever. Bad, because I worry that most people will think that anything free must not be worth selling on its own. But that would absolutely not be the case with the Dwell Toolbox DVD. Here is what the toolbox contains:
The truth is, Vineyard could have packaged this whole project into 3 separate products- audio CD, concert DVD and musicians toolbox DVD. But they chose to put it all together into one package and sell it as part of the regular CD offering. This is not only an amazing service to the body of Christ, but it is done with an amazing album.
I would have given the Dwell audio CD alone an Editor's Choice award, but with the inclusion of the incredible DVD toolbox, I am at a loss as to how to more greatly honor this project. The only thing not included in this massive data overload of CD/CD-ROM/DVD bliss is full piano/vocal/guitar scored sheet music, but alas they have taken care of that on a separate songbook (which even includes guitar tab!).
How else can I say it- regardless of who you are you should seriously consider the amazing Dwell album from Vineyard Music USA. If you are still a skeptic, listen to the audio of this album online and you will hear what I mean. Buy the project and watch the DVD, and you will see what I mean!
Product Link Dwell
Selah
Kim Anthony Gentes
Friday, August 17, 2007 at 6:49PM 
Rising, lifting, resting, flourishing the ebb and flow of the sounds from the new Vineyard album from New Zealand, One Glimpse, has placed some excellent songs on a skillfully crafted sonic palette for all to listen to. When you think of new music for the church, most people think of live worship projects, anthemic choruses and congregational sounds echoing in the recording. Vineyard delivers a whole different offering to the Body of Christ with One Glimpse. While the songs remain very accessible, the recording quality, arrangement styling, and track selection bring one of the first mainstream worship labels to the table with radio playable (CHR or alternative) songs. The last 3-4 years has seen regular CCM labels bringing their pop-artists to bear on classic worship tunes, giving great visibility and access to many great songs of the church. But where the CCM industry has reached into the worship realm with their offerings, the worship music labels havent done as well in adding a polished production to their projects, allowing them to gain access to the larger CCM audience.
Vineyards One Glimpse is an amazing leap from the tired sound of 90s praise and worship albums to true alternative and pop rock sounds native to the music, not opted and arranged on top of yesterdays songs. Its not surprising, then, to find that the project has strong production and recording from producer Nic Manders (of NZ band, Solace), and even guest contributions from Mark Millard (from the NZ group, the Lads). But what muses and audiophiles will note on listening to this project is the almost complete absence of the acoustic guitar, the staple of every Vineyard Music recording since its short 20+ years as the recording arm of the Vineyard church movement. Except for track seven (I Will Sing) and parts of track 11 (Risen One), even the contemplative songs in this project are highlighted with keyboards or soft electric rhythm. What remains is the occasional acoustic strum as a rhythm highlight on some musical transitions throughout a couple other songs.
Musically, the feel of this album resembles much more the ethereal patch and play keyboards, brit/pop guitars and driving rock drums of Delirious?, hard rock/alternative shots (track 4, Surround Me) at Creed, CCM radio sounds similar to Audio Adrenaline (track 2, One Glimpse) with little samplings of American soft rock and power ballad thrown in. That might seem like a heady mixture, but somehow this sonic meal is textured true (and is not cliché-ridden) with the distinctive Kiwi flavor added in. Suffice to say that this is easily the best radio playable worship album I have ever heard from non-artist driven worship sources (Vineyard recordings, Maranatha, Integrity Hosanna, Hillsongs, et al.).
But for all the polish, does this album have something of value to the church in a congregational worship setting? Yes, and a resounding yes! With the first spin of the CD, (track one, Sacrifice) will let you hear the prime suspect for Sunday mornings in many churches. My favorite on the project, this song is very strong with a devotional declarative verse and a glorious chorus announcing the holiness of the Lord, saying:
This song should make its way into many contemporary services with great lyrics and a moving musical and melodic chorus.
Delivering the tribute to Delirious? is track five, with To The King, which is almost shameless in stealing lines from I Could Sing of Your Love, but in the style of Lord You Have My Heart or Find Me In The River. This song is a great option for worship leaders looking for a pensive song that builds into another glorious chorus, this time with effectual Hallelujahs ringing the song through. The project completely mellows out with track 6, drawing you in with warm guitar swells and a solo voice of brokenness calling out for God to Sing Over Me. This is a beautiful contribution, ripe for Sunday mornings, especially times of prayer, intercession or ministry. Track seven I Will Sing starts the rebuilding of the tempo and volume that holds out through Song from the Heart and Close To You (whose chorus brought me back to the 80s with a Journey-esque stadium rendering). My Soul and Risen One wrap up the project nicely with beautiful contemplative songs, and again, amazing lyrics. I especially love the simplicity and focus of Risen One, which should not be overlooked by any worship leader.
Overall the project breathes nicely as a selection pallet for new material, with a good variety of songs. It shines as a listening contribution, not only in a personal time of praise (driving in the car), but as a serious offering for Christian radio. I was so excited about this CD, that I really want to recommend it to you worship leaders for consideration in your song hunting journeys. And while the CD itself contains a CD-ROM component with chord charts, overheads and some intro parts, the lack of available support resources (such as songbook, tracks, etc) will limit these strong songs from going to churches that cant play from chord charts or arrange from listening to a CD. Then again, churches that will use this material upfront will have younger musicians, who are very used to playing from chord charts in church situations.
I strongly encourage you to consider taking a look at One Glimpse for some great new songs and a fresh and exciting new sound from Vineyard Music. If you are a congregation with a large youth group or college/young adult service, they will definitely want to hear this CD. But dont say I didnt warn you, because you will be going to get the CD back from them for your regular service, once people start asking you hey, can we do that Sacrifice song they are doing in the youth service? So be nice to your youth leaders- get one for them and one for you. You wont regret it! The innovation of the sound, the level of musical presentation and the quality of the songs are strong enough to encourage us to give One Glimpse an Editor's Choice Award.
Product Link One Glimpse
Review by: Kim Gentes
New Zealand, One Glimpse, album, cd, music, nz, project, review, vineyard, vineyard music, worship in CD Review Friday, August 17, 2007 at 6:11PM 
The Canadian cultural motif is the mosaic, a concept that highlights combining differences into a collage of united strengths, much like a patchwork quilt. If you wanted a musical mosaic of the heritage and anointing that has been the Canadian legacy to the worldwide Christian church, you could go straight to the latest project from Vineyard Music Canada -- 'All I Need'. Actually, this is the third project from the northern nation, which deliberately looks for a diverse musical pallet. But where previous efforts ('Shake Off the Dust' and 'Believe') left off, 'All I Need' continues on, and takes up its place as a great worship project.
Let's get right into it. As the CD starts, the gentle swell of rhythm from a shaker, djembe, congas, bongos and darabuka fill up the air. Softly touched piano chords enter and a lone voice calls out with these beckoning lyrics: Who is moving on the waters? Who is holding up the moon? Who is peeling back the darkness With the burning light of noon? The questions are answered by the refrain, 'He is Yahweh'. Combining vocals in English, Zulu, and Lingala with great arranging and genuine passion this opening song will move you into solid assurance of God's sovereignty, through the scripture-woven chorus. After listening to this barrage of blissful truth, one can hardly go away without a powerful sense of our Creator God. What many preachers attempt to convey in a well-spoken sermon, worship leader/songwriter Dean Salyn does in 5 minutes of praise. This is great lyric writing, and producers Brian Doerksen, Daphne Rademaker, and Philip Janz take full advantage of this incredible song by placing it on the first track of this great CD.
Thankfully, the worshiper is clear that this is no ordinary cookie-cutter CD as the tracks roll on. But instead of being 'different' for 'difference' sake, the songs used on 'All I Need' are truly useable, accessible songs meant for the nations. The second song, 'Amen Hallelujah', uses country music to bring the 136th Psalm to life. And while I won't take the time to talk in depth about this and track 3, 'Be My Guide', both deserve their spot on this project with continued diversity and strong musical and lyrical contributions.
Arriving at 'Into Your Presence', written and sung by Kim McMechan, you will be arrested. With McMechan's incredible vocals, you may be tempted to consider this a 'performance' song, but continued listening will draw you into the very singable and melodic chorus. Such is the journey of this entire album. When the title track starts up, you will need to find a chair or simply kneel down in worship.
'All I Need' carries the cry of longing people to the ears of a ready and listening God. First person, and in the manner of David's Psalms, this song is clearly from the Vineyard tradition (can we call 20 years 'tradition'?) of great songs like 'Come And Fill Me Up', 'Draw Me Close' and 'I Want To Know You'. With this and most tracks on this project, Doerksen's mastery of spatial distribution in music gives us crisp, fresh sounds that evoke but don't attack. Frankly, it would take several pages to describe the texture, diversity and excellence that has been put into each of these songs. From the passionate 'Long To Know You', the bluesy 'You're So Wonderful', the anthemic 'The Lighthouse', to the radio playable 'Desire Of The Nations'. My passing over these so quickly is in deference to brevity- I strongly encourage you to sit yourself down and soak these incredible songs into your heart and soul.
What are left are 4 spectacular songs. First, there is 'Dance On It', a dance song that implements an unbelievable collection of sounds and instruments from mandolin and electric guitar to techno, drum loops and electronica. A great rhythmic collage that actually works for explosive, vibrant worship!
Second comes Psalm 113, which is a simple, yet stunning scripture song. There is something wonderful about singing Scripture. Soaking you in God's Word, encouraging each other with His wisdom, and releasing an unquestionable song from our heart to His. Reminiscent of the song 'Blessed Be The Name of The Lord' (Daniels/Prosch), Psalm 113 is presented through a wonderful spectrum of tempo and tenderness- making it accessible to every worshiper, small group, and large congregation on the planet.
Then comes the haunting rhetorical question 'Could I'. With just Kim McMechan and a piano, this worship leader questions and answers how waiting on God is the only place of rest and strength.
The final new song is what may be the most usable song on the album, 'Multiply Your Love'. Veteran songwriter Andy Park pens a call for God to multiply His love, expand the kingdom and grow His church. Every church should sing this song. Even better, ever church should open their hearts to living this song out, through God's love. This is truly an anthem that we, the consumer-centric church of North America, need to get deep into our souls.
The project is concluded with all the various worship leaders on this project combining to sing out a reprise of the title track, 'All I Need'. This album is a spectacular collage of songs, styles, worship leaders and production. Even better, this CD includes a CD-ROM component that has song stories, producer notes, and (thank you VERY much) chord charts and lyric masters!
In my mind, this is one of the best Vineyard project since Winds of Worship 12 (Come, Now Is The Time To Worship) and Hungry. While it doesn't need accolades to get noticed, I would be crazy to not give the Editor's Choice Award to this great project. 'All I Need' will stand out for its great songs, and great worship, for many years to come! If you have one CD in the budget for this entire year- this is the CD! And be sure to let your local church/music leader hear it too- you'll be singing these songs on Sunday morning very soon!
Product Link All I Need
Review by Kim Gentes
Note: This project was awarded 2001 Album of the Year from WorshipMusic.com.
