STYLE: Pop RATING OUR PRODUCT CODE: 137187-20445 LABEL: Independent FORMAT: CD Album ITEMS: 1
Reviewed by Tony Cummings
With such a seemingly unstoppable torrent of modern worship releases it is becoming increasingly difficult for Cross Rhythms reviewers to approach a new album of songs intended for congregational worship with real expectation. Even the most fervent of worshippers can only imbibe so many songs that avow our devotion to God particularly when they are clothed in stereotypical pop rock arrangements. So it is with considerable relief that this reviewer can report that the worship songwriters/leaders collective known as Push Community have delivered an album which suggests that some unnamed A&R persons (possibly the producers Tom Mills and Steve Harding?) have cherry-picked the very best newly minted songs their Community songsmiths had to offer. For there are certainly several songs here that if the worship song gatekeepers (Bible week organisers, songbook publishers, radio, etc) allow them to will one day be heard in churches across the country. Particular standouts are "Everyone" by Neil Wilson (not dissimilar in its pop rock drive that Neil used to excel in with the band Steve), the opener "God You Are Good" by Sophia Jenkins (which has a very catchy, if simplistic, chorus) and the moving worship ballad "Have Your Way" by Jim Elliott which starts gently with piano and string quartet and builds with the entrance of percussion and a rock guitar solo. But the two songs which deserve to be up there with "10,000 Reasons", "Shout To The Lord" et al are "Carry Me" and "Your Grace", both written and sung by Aaron David Frith. "Carry Me" is in fact a Frith oldie which may well be known to Cross Rhythms radio listeners due to the play we gave it when he fronted the Sabio band while "Your Grace" is every bit as good, with a gentle start and a soulful keening vocal from the songsmith. Clearly 'Everybody' is an album that deserves to be heard by everybody.
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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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