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Music Review: Happy Day | Posted October 14, 2009
By M. Christian Anders
GENRE: WORSHIP
LABEL: SURVIVOR RECORDS
RELEASE DATE: MARCH 16, 2009
RATING: 2 OUT OF 5
Tim Hughes is one of those perennial worship writers. There is a small class of writers that have multiple songs that everyone in the Church has heard. With “Here I Am To Worship,” “Beautiful One,” and “Happy Day,” Hughes has certainly solidified his reputation for being one of those writers. His newest album Happy Day – Live Worship – London lets the listener hear not only the voice of Hughes, but of thousands others. That being said, I have one rule for live albums, and that is it has to either be better or different than what we’ve heard before. If you’re going to play the same stuff we’ve already heard, then throw in some guest musicians, or a chorus from another song, but please do not just play the same stuff we’ve all heard before. Sadly, Hughes does not follow this simple principal.
For the record, I really like Tim Hughes’ previous albums. It’s because of my enjoyment for those albums that I was disappointed in this one. “Beautiful One,” “God of Justice,” “Happy Day,” “Here I am to Worship,” along with many more were just poor sound quality versions of the originals. The album did not do a good job of letting the listener experience the passion of the room to the point where you feel like you’re missing out on something. Even on a song like “We Won’t Stay Silent,” the original was far better. Granted, it was a part of the phenomenal Compassionart project, and the golden pipes of Steven Curtis Chapman greatly enhanced the original; but that’s the bar “Happy Day” tracks failed to live up to.
Even new songs “Dance” and “Remember” contributed to the disappointment of this album. Neither sounded better or different than anything else. “Dance” was a silly upbeat song with a very awkward rap in the middle. “Remember,” while having a great message, just dragged on for 4 minutes.
On a positive note, “Jesus Saves” is a new song that is vintage Hughes. I believe it’s only a matter of time before it becomes a favorite of your local contemporary church service. “Give Us Your Courage” is also catchy song that translated well on the album.
Overall, while Hughes is a tremendous writer and worship leader, this album had no pizzazz. This album had huge potential, but all I got out of it was, two standout tracks and an uncontrollable urge to speak with an English accent for the rest of the day.
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from The Christian Manifesto. Click here to visit TheChristianManifesto.com today!
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