Tracks:
  1.  Grace like a river
  2.  Rain down
  3.  God in Heaven
  4.  Majesty (Here I am)
  5.  Inside Outside
  6.  Free
  7.  Everyone knows
  8.  With You
  9.  Mountains high
10.  I was blind
11.  Feel it coming on
12.  Every little thing

Limited Edition
An octagonal cardboard package
that opens out into a satellite dish

World Service
Songbook

Regular version
comes in a normal CD jewel case

  It's well over two years since their last studio album, Audio Lessonover appeared to mixed critical acclaim. But the big boys of British CCM are back, and I think you'll agree - the wait's been worth it! Ever since their early days in the business, the D?-lads have sought a balance between trying to achieve success in the 'secular' market while also sticking to their core evangelical values and expressing themselves as they truly are. In the past this has resulted in a virtual alternation from 'mainstream' recordings (such as 'Mezzamorphis' and 'A. L.') to those decidedly 'Christian' albums (such as the worshipful 'Deeper' and 'Glo'). Perhaps 'World Service' is a routine swing towards this more spiritual side, but it's just possible that at last, rather than trying to please any particular following, they've at last 'found themselves'. This disc certainly has the feel that these guys are relaxed about where they're at, and lyrics like those of 'Free' ('I'm free to be the man You want me to be....') certainly support this.

  Whatever the case, this is a powerful recording which sees the band in energetic and highly creative form, with a full pop/rock sound bursting with innovation and diversity, resulting in a listening experience that makes fascinating impression on the ears. For the first three tracks a variety of spiritual truths and themes - ranging from testimony to yearning supplication to praise - find powerful expression, potent rock anthems every one.

  Then, suddenly, things cool down - to a gentle shuffle - in what is unquestionably the most worshipful track on the album - the instant classic, 'Majesty (Here I am)', with its swaying group chorus. This tune is already known to thousands in the UK, having been distributed at summer gigs (2003) as a free single (I first heard it when a friend called me excitedly and insisted on playing it to me over the phone!). Graceful, memorable and irresistibly participatory, there's no doubt whatever that this little worship gem is gonna be as popular in churches everywhere as previous Delirious? successes like 'I could sing of Your love forever' and 'Did you hear the mountains tremble?'

  'Inside outside' carries another of those catchy choruses the band are renowned for, while the aforementioned 'Free' floats along gracefully, aided, as is the closing track, by the elegance of a prominent string section. The band view the intriguing 'Everyone knows' as 'the moment of humour on the album', and, containing a touch of keyboardist/programmer Tim Jupp's trumpet skills(!), it reveals more of the team's desire to attempt something different. Nice track. Meanwhile, the pulsating 'With you' continues the theme of intimacy with the Father, building stealthily in intensity as it goes.

  A similar progression attends numerous tracks here, including 'Mountains high' - an intensely candid expression of personal pain and doubt, written in wake of the unexpected death of a close friend and relative of some band members (a number of whom are related through marriage). 'I was blind' is a tender, ponderous moment which revels in the light of God's grace, a theme also explored in track one. 'Feel it comin on' is a snappy number carrying a conviction that these guys are truly in a deep place of joy and liberty, while, continuing the feeling of security in Christ, the set closes with a pleasant piano-based ballad - 'Every little thing ('s gonna be alright).

  The music is raw, creative and wonderfully diverse. The ever-vertical lyrics are emotive, personal, honest and beautifully worshipful. Further, the production is top-notch. The result is a genuinely strong album from a truly excellent band. Expand your boundaries - tune in to the 'World Service'!

Tom Lennie (Jan 2004)

  This is the third live output from the D? boys and, let me tell ya - it's by far the best yet! Recorded on location at various gigs around the world - though mainly on the US Jun/Jul 2002 Tour - and appearing a full four years after the d: Tour Live disc, Access:d comes as a fantastically fresh experience, majoring on a host of the best from their last three studio albums (Audio Lessonover, Metamorphosis and - especially - Glo ), as well as a number of 'golden oldie' favourites. This truly is the definitive live Delirious? soundtrack, and I can tell you, if you're a fan of this band but have never seen them live, then you're gonna go ga-ga over some of these sounds. For here dwells over 2 hours of stonking good music, brought throbbingly alive by the team's striking stage performance.

  So whatta we got? Blistering guitar thrust, pounding percussion and Martin Smith's distinctive, soaring vocals - the combination of which gets you in the mood from the very opening riffs of the first full track. These are powerful rock-praise anthems that immediately catch you along with their infectious swell, whether you're already familiar with the tunes or not (nonetheless, it's a pity a lyric sheet isn't included in the package). Throughout, the atmosphere is intense, vibrant and gutsy; the audience is excited, well-familiar with the d:band and, dare I say, almost 'delirious' in their eager participation.

  The music is wonderfully varied and it's gotta be obvious to virtually anyone with musical ears just how versatile and talented this passionate combo really are. 'Touch' carries its own touch of edgy mystique before breaking into that catchy, give-it-all type chorus that so characterises these boys. 'The Happy song' is more freaky & frantic than ever - much to the crowd's delight (though not particularly to mine). 'Heaven', with it's brooding keyboard, has an aptly other-worldly feel and leads into a frenzied burst from Stu G's guitar.

  On disc2, the renowned 'I could sing of your love forever' floats along in ponderous intimate atmosphere and is followed by an impressive rendition in Spanish! An unexpected treat comes in form of 'King of fools', played and sung in moody acoustic-blues form by Garrard. Thus begins a train of mainly quieter moments; one of which is the meditative 'Jesus' blood', attended by gentle piano, and touchingly poignant; As well as all this, of course, are those full-on rock-worship triumphs - 'Deeper', 'God's romance', 'Take me away', 'Hang on to you' etc, etc - I love 'em all!

  Not only do we get this extensive back-catalogue repertoire, but we're treated to some potent moments of spontaneous worship too - special occasions of spiritual sensitivity which let you know for certain where this band's heart truly lies. Not that there could be any doubt; for every one of these songs simply glizzens with unashamed lyrical God-centredness and is delivered with bold, holy unction.

  Produced by Delirious? themselves, and mastered in the legendary Abbey Studios in London, this really is one rocking set - enough to make anyone an instant fan of this, Britain's biggest Christian rock band. You'll enjoy not only the music, but also the unusual packaging that holds it together - a hinged aluminum can complete with mosaic of mini-photos of the group in action in different places. As for the album title - well, I guess this output provides first-rate 'access' to the band in worship mode, though it seems it's more to do with allowing God full 'access' into our entire lives - all of the time. There's no holding back.....we're called to give it all up for Him who loved us, and continues to hold us in the palm of His hand. Powerful truth. Powerful music. One hot double-album. You'll love it!

Review by tom lennie - December 2002

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