Description
Church Music is the fifth full-length studio album and ninth effort overall by the American contemporary worship combo David Crowder Band, released on sixstepsrecords/Sparrow Records in September 2009, manufactured by EMI CMG Label Group and distributed in the US by EMI CMG Distribution. The album was produced and recorded by the band in the barn behind David Crowder’s house. Mixed by Shane D. Wilson at Pentavarit in Nashville, Tennessee. The album runs continuously (there are no gaps between the tracks), which essentially creates a 73-minute song.
David Crowder, and his eponymous band of cohorts, has been charting a course of musical imagination and inspiration for more than a decade, since bursting on to the scene with the sublime ‘Can You Hear Us‘. Along the way, through several studio albums, a live project, and even a couple of remix CDs, the band have driven worship music to new heights of creativity, and inspired many to worship God who have, in the main, been left cold by the majority of stereotypical worship coming out of the Church. That is not to say the David Crowder Band’s output has been perfect (dalliances with country and bluegrass have, for me, marred recent albums, but each to their own). However, their most recent album, ‘Remedy’ showed a band secure in their own skin, with a more focused approach to composition of both songs and albums. So, what we get here is a 17-strong set of songs which, according to the press release, play continuously to form one seamless suite of music. Not convinced myself by that particular claim, but it is the songs themselves which are strong here. «Alleluia, Sing», «Eastern Hymn» and «SMS (Shine)» (featuring the poignant vocal talents of the female members of Eisley) are all strong components of the album’s first half. The customary DCB driving rhythms, striking melodies and exceptional production and mixing are all present and correct. It seems the band is striking out ever further towards its creative zenith. A beautiful cover of Flyleaf’s «All Around Me» is a highlight of the second half, featuring Lacey Mosely of that band, along with the current single, John Mark McMillan’s «How He Loves» which is a great song enjoying some prominence through Jesus Culture at the moment. Another DCB original «Can I Lie Here» is a further strong point, but it has to be said, this album is a mighty collection of songs. At 17 songs, the album, as a whole, seems a tad long and hard to digest at one sitting. Patience and persistence, however, reveals a profound joy in the Lord and, praise be, some strong theological lyrical content (listen to «The Veil» as one example) making this a beautifully rounded piece of work. [Haydon Spenceley, Cross Rhythms, November 2009]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/church-music/716258330)
CD tracklist:
01. Phos Hilaron (Hail Gladdening Light)
02. Alleluia, Sing
03. The Nearness
04. Shadows
05. Eastern Hymn
06. SMS (Shine)
07. The Veil
08. We Are Loved
09. All Around Me
10. How He Loves
11. Can I Lie Here
12. Birmingham (We Are Safe)
13. Church Music – Dance (!)
14. What A Miracle
15. Oh, Happiness
16. God Almighty, None Compares
17. In The End (O Resplendent Light!)
Note: Songbook available.
“SMS (Shine)” (MUSIC VIDEO)
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