Tag: music-review

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Phil Wickham – Singalong

I wasn’t familiar with Phil Wickham before I downloaded his free release Singalong.  I came upon him because I heard a worship leader using one of his songs and wanted to check out the writer.  When I went to his site, the album was free so I bit.

When I get a new album I try to give it some attention and listen, at least once, all the way through in order.  The way an artist usually intends.  I listened to this as I was about to go to sleep one night with headphones and was moved deeply.

First, I’m a sucker for live albums.  Second, this is just Phil, his guitar, and an audience that seems to know his songs – another plus for me.  Third, the intensity of the worship is profound.  He gets at one of things I strive for when I’m leading…you can just see him standing before the Throne of Grace as the leader of a group of worshipers and just imploring them to give more of themselves to the Object of their worship.  He’s the host as everyone has gathered for an amazing journey.

This is all on a foundation of great songs.  “Beautiful,” “Desire,” and “Divine Romance” are exceptional and have already proven themselves.  What struck me on this album was the hymn “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing“:

Teach me some melodious sonnet,

sung by flaming tongues above.

And then…

Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,

prone to leave the God I love;

here’s my heart, O take and seal it,

seal it for thy courts above.

These lyrics reverberated through me as I listened to Phil and the congregation sing them.  That’s good writing.  That’s great songwriting.

So, go download your copy of Singalong today…it’s free!!

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Jesus Culture – Your Love Never Fails

Your Love Never Fails (CD/DVD and/or MP3 download) 

I was a big fan of the previous Jesus Culture release We Cry Out.  I thought many of the versions of the worship songs were better than the originals.  Bethel has a special atmosphere of worship and their recordings convey it.

What prompted me to buy the download of this album was a conference I went to in April where Kim Walker from Jesus Culture was leading worship.  At first I was skeptical because everyone thinks she is so great (There’s something in me – and I don’t think it’s a good thing – that makes it so hard to jump on the bandwagon…I’m working on it!).  But after a couple of sessions, I was in a new place of worship.  She doesn’t face the congregation when she’s leading in her pursuit of giving all the focus to God.  Chris Quilala was also there playing drums and leading.

Your Love Never Fails, like We Cry Out, features Kim, Chris, and Melissa How alternating the role of worship leader.  The Spirit is strong as they lead us into the presence of the Lord.  The standout is a John Mark and Sarah McMillan song, “Sing My Love.”  Such an intimate yet celebratory expression:

You would not believe
The way He touches me
He burns right through me
I could not forget
Every word He said
He always knew me

 

I highly recommend this album…learn the songs and sing them!

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John Mark McMillan – The Medicine

I first read about John Mark McMillan after I googled the writer of “How He Loves.”  I heard it on the Jesus Culture (Kim Walker) album We Cry Out. It is such a powerful song and even though I’ve never been quite able to get cozy with the “sloppy wet kiss” line, the song still moves me.  There’s no doubt the Spirit is all over it.  I also read his blog and enjoy his views on all sorts of things from songwriting to sleeping in on Easter (not to mention his appreciation of Springsteen, which I’ve been known to share :).

So I was excited to download his newest album, The Medicine, a couple months ago.  If I was going to make a comparison voice/soundwise it would be to Shawn Mullins.  The writing is original and intricate; full of striking imagery and evocative sounds.  The production is intricate and you truly get an album born in the studio with a soundscape of layers that reveal themselves in new ways with each listen.

“Carbon Ribs” exemplifies this with its plucked strings and layers of electric guitars.  There is a definite moodiness to the track as it explores the wonder of being dead but yet alive.

My favorite track, “Dress Us Up,” contains a lyric that took my breath away (literally) when I first heard it.  It begins, “Dress us up in your righteousness/Bring us in with a ring and a kiss/When you walk into the room you know we can’t resist/Every bottle of perfume always ends up on the floor in a mess.”  I don’t think I’ve heard a more original description of what happens when Jesus comes in a room: we have to worship.  If there’s perfume (as with Mary in John 12) the bottles come out and we pour it on His feet.  We give Him the very best of what we have — it’s automatic.  He elicits this kind of response when we see Him for who He really is.

There are many other standouts like “Skeleton Bones” and “Philadelphia,” but I recommend digesting it as a whole album.  Turn off the shuffle and enjoy a well thought-out and imagined work of art.

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Jon Thurlow – Songs About Jesus

Download the MP3 album here.

I’ve waited a long time for a record from Jon Thurlow. The fact that it’s just piano (a real one at that!) and voice is even better. From the first notes to the last it’s an act of worship and a work of art. What a great offering to Jesus.

 My favorite track right now is “Equality with God.” It has a chorus that cuts you to the heart with lyrics like, “And it’s the very same thing that cast the devil from Your presence / The very same thing that tripped up Adam and Eve / And it’s the very same thing that I struggle with inside of me…” The vulnerability of saying, “Hey, this is something I struggle with, too…I’m not perfect” is so refreshing and reminds us that, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man.” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Musically, the mix of styles and the sophistication of the harmony while still being accessible is great. The Lord’s gifting in Jon is evident and clear.

I would highly recommend this album and encourage its use in times of prayer and worship. It will bring you great enjoyment — it’s done that for me!

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