STYLE: Rock RATING OUR PRODUCT CODE: 151884-22383 LABEL: Integrity Music 0000768620328 FORMAT: CD Album ITEMS: 1 RELEASE DATE: 2014-08-25 RRP: £1.00
Reviewed by Lins Honeyman
Live albums and re-issues aside, the third studio release from Northern Irish worship collective Bluetree sees the band's ministry continue to blossom with a collection of competent praise anthems from the pen of lead vocalist Aaron Boyd. For the most part, Boyd and crew choose to stick closely to the style of most modern worship releases with the tried and tested formula of mixing dynamic and more intense tracks like the opener "It Is Finished" and the stirring "Jesus, Healer" in amongst contemplative numbers such as the laid back "Rest" being put to good use. Small touches like some appealingly lazy electric slide guitar on "Magnify" and the occasional electronica effect on the likes of "My Redeemer Lives" highlights the skills of producer Michael Rossback and Boyd's vocals - delivered in an American accent instead of his native Belfast - shine through. Lyrically, there is a reliance on well-worn worship phraseology with the likes of "you are my rock", "my heart cries out with praise" and "be lifted up" indicating that, whilst this is an enjoyable and worthy addition to Bluetree's burgeoning back catalogue, the band may need to move up a gear on their next release to keep things fresh.
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Product Description
Worship & Justice is the new album from Bluetree. Many of the band's songs are inspired by their journey, including Jesus Healer, a song born out of a sermon series and Boyd's experience as the father of a child with cystic fibrosis.