David Crowder Band - A Collision

Published Friday 9th September 2005
David Crowder Band - A Collision
David Crowder Band - A Collision

STYLE: Rock
RATING 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10
OUR PRODUCT CODE: 13446-3339
LABEL: Sixstepsrecords SPD11229
FORMAT: CD Album
ITEMS: 1
RELEASE DATE: 2005-10-10
RRP: £12.99

Reviewed by Tony Cummings

In an age when even "contemporary" worship can ossify into so many stylised and numbingly predictable stylistic templates (the Hillsong template, the Delirious/Sonicflood template) there needed to step forward someone like David Crowder, a man prepared to re-think the whole "worship album" conundrum - how to present songs some of which are suitable for congregational worship and yet embrace the full thrilling creative potential of 48 track recording and Pro-Tool editing. What he and his fellow band members have come up with is truly a groundbreaking album, possibly the first album that you could apply the descriptive phrase "a worship concept album." But even that bit of glib journalese fails to communicate the dazzling breadth and aural virtuosity shown on this dazzling soundscape. Like a documentary of the human condition it moves from radiant joy to deepest despair and from tongue-in-cheek irony to nakedly honest self-examination while the moods and textures it creates in its 21-track, 70 plus minutes show a band as eclecticly creative as any in the world. Sounds and styles segue and pass into each other in a relentless roller coaster. One second it's David's gruff and haunting voice against a piano and cellos, next there's a ricocheting drum loop and howling rock guitar that cut away into silence, David whistling, a choral rendition of an old spiritual, a knee-slapping hoedown and a wholly convincing move into Gaither territory for "I See The Light", a voice, guitar and the wind, turbulent electro, and on and on. Everything connects to everything else while in the process David Crowder offers songs like "Here Is Our King" and the utterly stunning prayer to God to awaken the Church, "Come Awake". Songs like these are good enough to be sung in churches around the world, hooky enough to be played where Christian radio operates, sonically exciting enough to entrance any home stereo fan with some time and some earphones and prophetic enough to implant words of life and hope into the hardest heart. Cross Rhythms seldom gets a chance to proclaim such things but on this occasion there can be no doubt, 'A Collision' is a classic which will be enjoyed and wondered at for decades to come.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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Reader Comments

Posted by Stephen in Dundee @ 14:52 on Nov 14 2007

I would recommend this band to everyone check out all the albums right from the start as each one is a classic in my opinion. The music and lyrics are deeply moving and encouraging and i would recommend seeing them live if they every copme back to the UK - Saw them at frenzy a few years back absolutly brillant!



Posted by Ben @ 10:51 on Oct 5 2007

that song was do not move not come awake haha ooops



Posted by Ben in Leicester @ 10:49 on Oct 5 2007

Ive had this album since the release and ive never got bored of it! Wholly Yours is incredible i could go on forever with each song telling you how amazing they are so i won't keep going, but the lyrics are also genius. The only thing i don't understand is the convo coz i don't understand the meaning of the album title he explains lol. Just listening to come awake, 'the wonder of the cross' followed by a single piano note back to the chorus, its gripping, man God bless this guy 10/10!



Posted by James @ 04:08 on Mar 30 2006

Crowder rocks and his creativity is astounding. Along with other Passion worship artists such as Tomlin, Hall and Redman they are moving worship onto the next level.



Posted by huw in cardiff @ 20:28 on Oct 31 2005

One of the best I agree.Inspired and inspiring -as was your review that prompted me to purchase it. I am convinced that this collection of songs will make non believers wonder "What drives this man?" The song by song notes on his website are worth reading too.
It's so beautifully creative! And hip! And I want all my mates to hear it ....Praise God....



Posted by CJ in UK @ 16:01 on Oct 22 2005

An absolutely brilliant album. The man is a genius & the band are great. One of the best albums of all time !



The opinions expressed in the Reader Comments are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms.

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