Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Has it really been seven years since Martin Smith, Stu Garrard, Jon Thatcher, Tim Jupp and Paul Evans finally pulled the Delirious? juggernaut to a halt? The fact is modern worship - the development of which the d:boys played a major part - has continued to grow and cross fertilise without them and there are now swathes of young worshippers who are only distantly aware of the carefully selected recordings presented here. If such churchgoers have any cash left after buying the latest Hillsong United and Soul Survivor albums, I'd suggest they check out these tracks. Not only are songs like "I Could Sing of Your Love Forever", "Rain Down" and "Majesty" (all, of course, present here) still being sung in our churches the recordings of the songs have never been bettered. There are stirling arrangements, that skilled blend of Britpop and stadium rock is masterly and Garrard's occasional bursts of electrifying guitar and Martin's passionate and instantly recognisable voice mean that in every case melody and lyric stay with the listener long after a track has finished. I'm delighted that the compilers found room for the brooding non-worship song "Obsession". But classics abound here. From the uplifting opener "History Maker"t o the closing fragment of "Our God Reigns" one is confronted with exceptional music. I'm sure it will not just be nostalgists who will be shelling out for this 16-song snapshot of one of the most significant music ministries of the past few decades. The music of Delirious? is for the whole Church and for those with ears to hear outside it.

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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