The exceptional passion worship series continues this spring with the release of the 5th live worship album, entitled "Our Love is Loud". The album features the three worship leaders from the Sixsteps record label, Chris Tomlin, Charlie Hall and the David Crowder Band. The album was recorded live on this year's Passion Experience Tour which set campuses across America alight with the praises of their King. Featuring nine previously unreleased tracks the project is set to be passion's most successful yet. Louis Giglio sums up the heart of Passion with the following statement "Passion is calling out a generation to live with a radical desire for God's Glory, moved by all who He is to spread His fame to the ends of the earth. More than a concert, the Passion experience is a journey to the heart of God." Now that is what I call a mission statement!
The album, unlike the Passion releases before it features sections of each artist, giving them much greater musical freedom to Praise God from the first chords to the last beat. The album is opened up by Chris Tomlin, with a cover of the Tim Hughes penned worship song "Here I am to worship" it serves as a great start to the CD, expressing the desire of the worshippers, stating loud and clear that the gathering is there to worship God and God alone. "Enough" is a cry to God, proclaiming that all of him is more than enough for us. This song continues in the style of Tomlin's solo album "The noise we make" and I have no doubt will become a favourite worship song around the globe. "Famous One" declares the name of the Lord, and that he will be lifted high on the earth and in the heavens. The song is a stirring anthem of praises and keeps up the high standards set by the rest of Tomlin's work.
The next worship leader to feature is Charlie Hall, who leads for four tracks, starting with the mellow, intimate "Prepare the way" with its sweeping chorus of "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus." "Sweep me away" builds up from the beginning and becomes an intensely worshipful experience, drawing you closer and closer in with its intimate lyrics, praying to feel the touch of God's hand, anyone who can remember the engrossing chorus of the original version of "Obsession" will be close to the mark. "Madly" has one of the most important requests of all in the lyrics "Let what we do in here, fill the streets out there" reflecting the desire to touch a world where so many have pain, so many hunger for true life. Hall's set finishes with "Psalm 126" which features funky, synthesised backing sounds, reminiscent of some modern pop-songs. The song is an exciting and passionate experience from start to finish.
The David Crowder Band section is started with the beautifully written "Wonderful King" the lyrics to this song are some of the most poetic you will hear in the modern worship world. It is undeniable that David Crowder has an impressive talent for penning lyrics that unlock the doors of the heart and express an inner desire to praise the Lord Jesus. "Our Love Is Loud" is the title track from the album and was written after the awe-inspiring one-day live event when over 40,000 students lifted up the praises of the Lord for an entire day in one of the most exciting worship experiences that a generation has ever seen. Crowder finishes his set with "Come thou fount" which seems to fulfil the apparent urge of all worship producers to feature a hymn on their youth CD's. It is however carried out with success in the powerful live setting. After completing the tour Crowder wished to "Thank God for the experience and ask, 'did that connect with you?'" and by the sound of the selection on the CD it did.
The CD is finished off with three more contributions from the highly successful Chris Tomlin. He starts with the Dove nominated song "God of Wonders" it is a fantastic worship song, which has the kind of infectious tune which rivals anything that the secular charts can offer. Next up is Delirious's "My glorious" which is performed in my opinion, better than the original, Glo, the album it was taken from seemed over-produced in many places but this recording does justice to the exceptional song writing of Martin Smith. The album finishes with "Dance in the river" wish is a fittingly fun way to end the album, while recording this track the whole arena joined hands together and danced, worshiping together. It is a great way to end the album on a real high, with the whole crowd singing and dancing to Jesus.
I have to say that this is an inspirational album, which explodes with life and sentiments of worship, somewhat similar to the effect of the early live Delirious? recordings. It is the best Passion album to date and a must have CD for all worship fans.
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