"Look"

  MercyMe's music has earned the 5-piece team a wide and loyal respect over the last half-decade - a scan through their voluminous web-site guest book is ample evidence of that! - and their 'I can only imagine' hit has received massive radio airplay on Christian stations across the country and beyond. Their new album "Look" is already set to give this tireless band increased prominence, it's song's being promoted by their hugely successful live performances.
  In a similar melodic-pop worship vein to "The Worship Project", this venture carries a truly worshipful atmosphere throughout it's fifty-minute duration. Included are ten new songs (plus a short bonus track) - all written by lead vocalist Bart Millard along with other band members, and an unusual though beautifully pensive rendition of the familiar 'When I survey the wondrous cross'. Original standouts are many and include the catchy opening 'It's alright' and the punchy 'Mighty mighty wind' with it's frenzied synth overlays; along with the shuffle-delicacy of 'Look to the heavens' and the soulful piano-based 'In You' - and that's only to mention the first four tracks! Indeed the good music continues all the way.
  "Look" is an engrossing spiritual experience from start to finish. If you were impressed by the worship tones of their previous release then one thing's for sure - you're certainly going to love this!

"The Worship Project"

  Texas-based Mercyme have been around since 1994, and carry four previous recordings to their collective belt. They are extremely busy as a live act, ministering the love of God in music form to predominantly student audiences throughout America and beyond, and playing over 200 dates a year. Indeed, they have shared stage with the likes of Sixpence None the Richer, Stephen Curtis Chapman, Jars of Clay, Jennifer Knapp and a host more! This however is their first truly worship-centred venture, and to be honest, my first hearing of this talented 5-piece combo. One listen and I can't help
wishing I'd encountered them years ago!
  You may get the impression from hearing the gutsy rock-praise of the opening 'Here for You' that this is a loud, racy album, especially when this is followed by the equally punchy guitar and percussion-driven 'Happy little love song'. That isn't the overall mood though. 'It's my Joy' is a funky slice of organ-backed rejoicing, while 'Cannot say enough' is a gorgeously delicate-flowing worship ballad, deeply moving. There are two Psalms interpretations, but the album's highlight has to be the outstanding 'I can only imagine', based on mind-boggling thoughts of one day meeting God face-to-face. The song begins as a gentle shuffle and rises to an emotional crescendo with powerful vocals, as always, care of lead singer Bart Millard, who in fact wrote all songs featured here bar one. That exception is the closing 'Beautiful' (words by bassist Nathan Cochran), which, like it's predecessor, 'Jesus come quickly' is a deeply reflective piece of worship, totally Christ-focused.
  This is a most accomplished performance, perhaps more similar in style to Canadian Capstone than to other youth-oriented worship groups, yet with a sound fully their own. With original packaging and the provision of guitar chords to all tracks, this is an album with a great, full sound, and I very much recommend it.

Reviews by tom lennie

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