Music Review: Awakening
Posted March 23, 2010
By ChristianManifesto,
By Brian Hall
GENRE: MODERN WORSHIP
LABEL: SIXSTEPRECORDS
RELEASE DATE: MARCH 9, 2010
RATING: 5 OUT OF 5
If you are of college age, or had been in college at some point over the past 7-10 years, then there is a really good chance you have heard of the Passion movement. Maybe you’ve been to one of their conferences, or listened to one of their albums, or seen Louie Giglio’s captivating DVD’s. If any of this sounds like something you have done, then chances are good that you know exactly what I am about to say about Passion’s newest record, Awakening. If you aren’t familiar with the Passion events then here’s a quick overview before I jump into the review: “Passion exists to see a generation stake their lives on what matters most. For us, that is the fame of the One who rescues and restores, and our opportunity to amplify His name in everything we do.”
Like previous Passion albums, this one has the “usual” line-up; Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, David Crowder*Band, Christy Nockels, Charlie Hall, FEE, and they add some fresh faces to the show with Kristian Stanfill and Hillsong United. Also as per usual the album features mostly new material, most notably from Tomlin who debuts a dazzling FOUR new songs on this album and DC*B who just keeps cranking them out with their mega-hit “How He Loves” and a newbie “Like a Lion”. Every artist delivers the goods here; from the criminally under-used Christy Nockels to Matt Redman. Hillsong United makes their Passion debut with a beautiful rendition of Hillsong’s With Everything, the passionate vocals, the rallying “bridge” and its rocking music is sure to be an instant hit with anyone, familiar or not with their music.
The album never fails to give us what we all want; fresh and powerful worship music that is sure to have you patting your steering wheel as your drive down the street or flat on your face in your prayer closet. Some true standouts are Tomlin’s Awakening and his duet with Nockels on Where The Spirit Of the Lord Is, Stanfill’s Say, Say further secures his place among the up-and-comers of modern worship, Crowder’s How He Loves takes on a whole new dynamic live, and United’s With Everything sends chills up my spine on every listen! FEE impresses with their song Rise and Sing even if I personally wished they had chosen Glory to God Forever instead. While I am sure some would challenge me, Awakening is possibly the best Passion album to date, and to miss this would be downright sinful.
Review copy provided courtesy of sixstepsrecords
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from The Christian Manifesto. Click here to visit TheChristianManifesto.com today! View All Music And Book Reviews By ChristianManifesto | View ChristianManifesto's Profile
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