There are so many talented songwriters, and Jimmy Needham is not shy to the list. By and large, Clear the Stage is a great record. The music is tasteful and enjoyable to listen to. The vocals of Needham are delivered with his signature soulful twang. And the songwriting is pure.

Editor’s Rating
83/100

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utNJRnsdnkc

 
“Murdered Son” song lyrics

You set us up above all the stars
You set us on a high place by where you are
While we were dead you made us your friends
And scattered our debt upon the wind

Glory to One
God’s murdered son
Who paid for my resurrection
Once from the dust, once from the grave
Daughters and sons from the ashes you’ve raised
And hidden our faults even from your own face
And scattered our debt upon the waves

Glory to one
God’s murdered son
Who paid for my resurrection
Glory to One
God’s murdered son
Who paid for my resurrection

Glory to the one who
Who overcame in death
Glory to the one
Who paid for my offenses
Glory to the one

Once from the dust
Once from the grave
Daughters and sons
From the ashes you’ve raised
And hidden our faults
Even from your own face
And scattered our debt upon the waves
And scattered our debt upon the waves

© 2011 Integrity’s Alleluia! Music/SESAC (adm at EMICMGPublishing.com)  CCLI#5921818

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_5oE0ijhKg

Dark Horses Lyrics

I’ve made my mistakes
I’ve seen my heart cave in
I got my scars
I’ve been to hell and back again

Born for the blue skies
We’ll survive the rain
Born for the sunrise
We’ll survive the pain

We’re singing hey, you can’t count us out
We’ve been running up against the crowd
Yeah, we are the dark horses
We’re singing wait, it’s not over now
We’ve been down but we’ve never been out
Yeah, we are the dark horses

We found a way out
The city takes everything it can
But outside the crowds
I can feel my lungs again

Born for the blue skies
We’ll survive the rain
Born for the sun rise
We will survive the pain

We’re singing
La la la la la la la

Were singing we don’t care what they say
We know we’ll find a way
Yeah, we are the dark horses

Keep running with the dark horses
Stand up for the dark horses
Hope makes the blood change courses
Keep running with the dark horses
Stand up for the dark horses

The critics and early listeners had been collecting a lot of steam, writing it was Switchfoot’s best and most-genius work yet. So I had to give it a listen and see if I agreed.

After a quick run-through it was clear, Vice Verses, was a rhythmic-driven rock album integrating a force of thick drums and bass, loud fuzz and distorted guitars, and the dynamic vocal capabilities of Jon Foreman.

The record opens with crunch-ridden guitars with an anthem titled “Afterlife,” a song that questions why oneself waits until the afterlife to truly live when we can start living now. One of the choice tracks from the album is “Restless.” The song is a beautiful piece of songwriting, “Until the sea of glass we meet, at last completed and complete, where the tide and tear and pain subside and laughter drinks them dry.” Another treat is “Selling the News,” although it may ruffle some  feathers, it marks today’s age of media in a creative setting. “Thrive” is another beautifully honest track about pushing for more, “No, I’m not alright, I know that I’m not right. Feel like I travel but I never arrive, I wanna thrive not just survive.” A real story-telling song with a realness that anyone can relate to is “Souvenirs.” The breathe-taking title-track proceeds, before closing out with “Where I Belong.”

Vice Verses not only showcases magnificent lyrical songwriting, with analogies that only Jon Foreman could craft with such elegance and understanding, but also a brilliant musical performance.

To sum up the album, it’s powerful, honest, and musically excellent.

The record’s underlying messages express faith, hope, honesty, anticipation of greater things, and in the generalist sense, life. All of these characteristics are a welcomed sight and are backed by the raw energy in the music. The passion in the record is not just heard, it’s felt. So does it meet the hype surrounding the release, no, it surpasses it!

Remember in 2003 when The Beautiful Letdown blew up the radio and Switchfoot was put on the map as a premier act? Vice Verses has that kind of caliber encased within. It leaves me to ask, to what heights is this band heading to, what avenues will God bring from this record, time will only tell.

Released on September 27, 2011 with lowercase people / Atlantic Records.

Editor’s Rating
99/100

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGWyRegxMWU

Over the past couple years Phil Wickham has transformed into an incredible voice amongst worship and praise music. Starting with his intimate debut, into his passionate sophomore release Cannons, proceeded by Heaven and Earth, and now Response continues the path of growth that Wickham has shown with each record.

The album starts with warmth that never dies, it has edge and depth and is woven with a joyful sound. I would entertain the thought that its more accessible to a larger variety of listeners than Heaven and Earth because the instrumentation is more traditional. The musicianship and execution of the melodies are what I have come to love and admire about Phil. Based on musical merit alone, ”This Love Will Last Forever” is one of the premier tracks.

From a worship standpoint, the songs are very powerful. The album is full of pure songs, leading a declaration of praise in every line.  Songs such as “At Your Name (Yahweh, Yahweh)” and “All I Am” are your semi-nontraditional corporate worship tracks. The type of songs you would expect to hear in contemporary worship services.

Phil has an incredible voice and throughout the years his songwriting has proven to be equal, if not greater, than his singing ability. Anyone who has heard Phil knows that is a lot of talent, a true blessing. Truly a record worth having and worshipping along with.

Released on October 4, 2011 with INO Records.

Editor’s Rating
83/100

At first glance, I was hesitant to pop in the new record. After such a stellar debut, I was left disappointed with each record the band introduced. Each one had great characteristics, but never met that expectation that The Sound of Melodies blew me away with. Perhaps, my lack of eagerness is what caused me to find a gem of a praise and worship record.

The artistry of The Great Awakening is superior. The vocal harmonies are breathe taking, the guitar and piano melodies are warm and inviting, the drums and bass are thick and nestled in the space your ears want to hear each beat. The ambient rock anthems give life behind the vocals. This depth captures every emotion within the confines of each word sung, and soon you find yourself immersed in the rich lyrical context of praise each line concedes.

The theologically rich, gospel-driven, lyrics reminisce famous hymns of old. I find this welcoming in an over-saturated amount of contemporary worship that has lost its spiritual depth. Songs like “Chains Hit The Ground,” my personal favorite, “I Can See Your Love,” “Pages,” and “While We Sing,” make this album a truly great experience. The unconventional, yet systematic approach in the words furthers the artistism found within the musical apsect, bringing a marriage of glorious songs that have depth in their meaning.

The true lyrical highlight for me comes in “While We Sing.” In the outro, an anthem is sung that resonates close to my heart, “Church arise, arise and shine. Shake yourself from the dust. God is calling us to go.” A close second is “I Can See Your Love.” The melodies are flawless and beautiful, and also ends with a beautiful melodic version of the third verse from the famous hymn, “The Love of God.”

Front to back, this album is artistically the greatest Leeland has produced. At first listen, it’s a little different than anticipated, but as it grew on me, the more I found myself turning it on and enjoying every lyrics, melody and beat.

Released on September 20, 2011 with Essential Records

Editor’s Rating
84/100

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Mj8I1chdB0

Throughout my life, I have never been able to connect to the hymns of old. The thought of an old church organ and a robed choir never interested me. That is until I came across Ascend the Hill’s record, Hymns: Take the World but Give Me Jesus.

With the spread of contemporary services through the States, the American church has lost an important art to church history, singing hymns of praise, confession, and adoration with the flaming tongues above.

Alas, a record that is accessible to an out-of-the-box music listener.

On the record Ascend the Hill approached a number of classic hymns with an ambient rock setting. The band brought to life new arrangements that strung out incredible passion, continuously leading listeners into a heart of worship and praise. These attributes, along with exceptional production, are the framework of an album that has captured the repeat button.

This record brings new life and excitement to songs that can radically change a person’s life. The truths and confessions displayed in the historical hymns can bring the most wretched man to the heart of the Lord. My personal favorite from the album is the band’s version of “Oh Love That Will Not Let Me Go.” The truth’s written years ago by George Matheson after going blind and having his fiancé leave him due to his blindness are absolutely incredible. In between each original verse by Matheson, the band added a chorus that coincides with the verse. The one that spoke to me the most was the third chorus, “So anoint, me with joy. And joyful I will be.” The simplicity that was written by Ascend the Hill is quite profound and always leads my soul into a revival of giving full surrender to God.

Other great tracks include classics, “Rock of Ages,” “How Great Thou Art,” and “Be Thou My Vision.” From a musical standpoint “I Surrender All” has the most artistic creativity and movement. The entire record compliments itself. The way in which the band executed the album is extraordinary. The album has a raw feel throughout that weighs a genuine tone, perfect for a record of this likeness.This record is wonderful and a must have in any worshipper’s collection.

Released on September 14, 2010 with Come & Live! Records

Editor’s Rating
88 of 100