The third release from Vineyard Canada in two years, The Mystery is a rather more enigmatic affair; indeed, whenever David Ruis plays a major part in proceedings, the only thing you can be sure of is unpredictability! And that's just what I love about this album - it's musically innovative, breaking down walls concerning what we normally expect 'worship music' to be, and creatively exploring ethereal aspects to the spiritual life. For this life, the 'now and the not yet', is filled with mystique, and indeed, Paul refers to several 'mysteries' of the gospel in his epistles (eg.1Tim3:16). As Ruis so eloquently yet poignantly puts it 'To de-mystify faith and steal imagination from liturgy is to turn worship into religion....To worship is to run headlong into the mystery. It unlocks the heart's integrity and the fragrance of spirit and truth'.

  These are all new compositions, written and sung variably by Kim McMechan, David Ruis and Rik Leaf, himself well-known for the most experimental worship sounds. It's not easy to describe the music on offer as so many different genres are employed, sometimes more than one on an individual track. So you find elements of pop/rock, techno, inspirational, tribal, rap/funk (Rik Leaf's 'I believe') and even blues (on the psalm-like 'Oh Lord)! Vocals from each of the lead singers are passionate, emotive and wonderfully versatile; instrumentation is intense and tight; and, with a little help from the Howling Prairie Group Vocals, it all comes together as a captivating, mystique-edged whole.

  A companion disc is included, recreating these songs in a basic 'home group' setting - with no more support than acoustic guitar, piano and a bit of percussion. Personally, I can't say this works too well - there's a lack of clarity, coherence and zest (not surprising given that most folk present were unfamiliar with the material being sung!). Indeed, to me CD 2 merely serves to highlight the charm and excellence of the main disc! However, you will find a useful CD ROM element to the album, containing additional info, chord charts and overhead masters.

  Must say, I'm really taken with this venture. I like the way the team pursues the 'radical middle' , releasing edgy, alternative worship sounds that, admittedly, take a bit of getting used to. But it's worth it, for there's a lot here to appeal to the adventurous worshipper. There's a paradox here, for the closer you get in your walk with God - the deeper you find His love, and the closer the sense of His presence and security; yet the deeper also becomes....... .The Mystery!

Review by tom lennie

  What's surprising about the latest fare from 'down under' is not that Hillsong has released a Christmas offering, but that it's taken them so long to do so! Thankfully this isn't a mere re-hash of well-worn carols, but a tasty blending of songs old and new, with vocal fronting by various musicians/composers within the Hillsong fold.

  Simply entitled "Jesus", this celebration indeed gives focus to the glory of Christ - avoiding the slushiness of many Christmas ventures. You'll find sentimental moments for sure, but start to finish this is an album of worship - the tone throughout being one of genuine thanksgiving for the unfathomable gift of Christ as Redeemer and Lord. Thus the calculated pace of 'Silent night' as Darlene Zschech breathes emotion into every line; thus the irresistible adoration of Katia Bowley's 'Saviour of the world' and Zschech's own 'Hallelujah'; thus also the richly poetic 'O Holy night', where full choir join in on last verse in ardent attempt to proclaim the awe of His reign.

  Musical arrangements are unpretentious - basic drum programming, keyboards and guitars - so placing emphasis on truth of the message. Especially intriguing are 'Star of Bethlehem', a gliding guitar-led instrumental giving plenty of space for meditation on the wonders of the incarnation (truths that words, after all, cannot express); and the closing 'Glory to God', with it's tribal vibes leading to a full-bodied ring of acclamation. Diversity is seen too in the pop-stomp of Donia Makedonez' 'Rejoice' and in the light funk of 'Away in a manger', Tulele Faletolu's smooth, soulful voice swooping and soaring in appropriate places!

  This is clearly a quality production. Given it's worshipful focus it won't be an album that gets stuck away after Christmas Day - the joys of this hour-long feast can be shared any day, week or month!

Review by tom lennie

Other CDs in stock from SufCity

The Gift

  Their third live worship concept in as many years, this is SurfCity's second recording for Integrity, and like previous output from the team, The Gift possesses that BIG Australian praise sound we've come to recognise and enjoy, with a huge backing choir (too many to count let alone individually mention) and as slick a sound as you'll find anywhere!

  It's not all head-on praise though - the very opening title-track is a gentle, ponderous offering of meaningful worship to our Lord and King; he became an unbelievable Gift to us; as a result, we too have the amazing capacity to give Him back what He longs for most - our 'sincerest love and adoration' . Associate pastor, and one of this disc's four worship leaders, Garry McDonald wrote this one - most others come from pen of music director / keyboardist Jonathan Warwick or were created by the two together. Yet while voices, piano and excellent brass section (I love those sax sounds!) fall into wonderful place on tracks like the Latino-jazz 'Sending up praises', few of these upbeat tracks have melodies that stick with you for long. Same goes for the prolonged section of toned-down worship that constitutes tracks 7 to 12. Soothing and sensitive, laid back rhythms (yet intense and utterly God-centred lyrics), but somehow unmemorable tunes that kinda lack innovation. Must say though, these songs do grow on you with repeated listening, and the unbroken flow of later tracks does still the soul and enables one to refocus the heart's priorities aright.

  True worship, says Gary, is all about 'lavishing the Lord with praise and honour, thrilling Him and touching Him deeply with glorious love from the depths of a grateful heart'. Certainly, worship songs that are as unanimously God-directed as these twelve can but have genuine impact on one's spirit. Let them wash over you, as you celebrate The Gift.

Review by tom lennie

| Home | Featured CDs | To Order | Of Interest | Special CDs | Delirious CDs | Order Form |

| Recently Featured CDs | Upcoming | About GoldUSA | Songbooks | CrossRhythms | Search  A-L  M-Z |