Customer Reviews

Church Music

5 star:		(55)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

David Crowder*Band, the Dove Award-winning six-piece band, crafts compelling, inimitably progressive electronic rock. They are back with their new release "Church Music" arguably their most innovative effort to date. Packed full with 17 full tracks, "It's our stimulus package," the frontman player jokes. "We're doing our part." The band hopes this album serves as a reminder of the continual evolvement of music within the Church.

One of David's favorite selections from "Church Music" is "God Almighty, None Compares," because he loves "the guitar harmony...the guitarmony, if you will, and shredding is involved, which always makes me smile." The band is rounded out by guitarists Jack Parker and Mark Waldorp , bassist Mike Dodson, drummer Jeremy Bush and electronic violinist Mike Hogan. For the epic "Eastern Hymn," which is the rest of the band's favorite song on the disc, David commissioned the translation of an ancient Chinese prayer book which he'd found last summer while the band was on the Passion World Tour, and portions of the translated tome appear in the song's chorus.

The album opens with "Phos Hilaron (Hail Gladdening Light)", which sets the tone for this excellent album, my top album of 2009 and my favorite overall album by this amazing band. If you liked "Illuminate", "A Collision" and "Remedy", then "Church Music" is for you. The album blends previous musical and lyrical styles with some new ethereal and ambient songs and an incredible cover of my favorite song of the year, "How He Loves". To add to the uniqueness of the album, the 17 songs on the album play continuously from beginning to end with one song blending into the next. In order to accomplish this, the band poured an immense amount of work into the process, sequencing the tracks before anything had been recorded so keys and tempos could be finalized. The result: 73 full minutes of music. "Alleluia Sing" is next and has that signature David Crowder*Band praise and worship style similar to "Open Skies". "The Nearness" and "Shadows" bring back the electronic feel from "Remedy" like "Everything Glorious" and "Can You Feel It?". "Eastern Hymn" is truly epic and flows beautifully into the next few tracks "SMS (Shine)", "The Veil" and "We Are Loved". This section reminded me of the brilliant section of "A Collision" from "Do Not Move" to "Our Happy Home".

The band even tackles a cover on the disc that has to be heard to be believed: Flyleaf's "All Around Me." As if the album wasn't impressive already, David Crowder*Band's beautiful cover of "How He Loves", originally written and recorded by John Mark McMillan, is spectacular. The band finds a unique balance of capturing the sweet lyrical moments of the song but continually crescendos the intensity of the song and the message as the simple chorus builds over and over again. The genuine sound of the song reminds us of the simplicity yet magnanimity of God's love for us. "Can I Lie Here" and "Birmingham (We Are Safe)" bridge to the final section of the album in the style of "...neverending..." and "Rain Down" before the title track "Church Music (Dance)", one of the most fun tracks on the album. I can't wait to see this song performed live as it has an electronic feel that will remind you of a 1970's disco. The album closes with an amazing section from the unashamed praise of "What A Miracle", and "Oh Happiness", which reminded me of "We Win!", the guitar-shredding of "God Almighty, None Compares" and the epic closer "In The End (O Resplendent Light)".

This is my favorite overall album by David Crowder*Band and my top album of 2009. For me, this is truly a 5 star album! My favorite songs are "Alleluia Sing", "The Nearness", "Eastern Hymn", "All Around Me", "Church Music (Dance)", "God Almighty, None Compares" and my song of the year "How He Loves".

The real question that was rattling in my head as I removed the shrinkwrap of DC*B's latest full length was, "Is it possible for them to outdo 'A Collision'?" (Remedy was pretty good, but it shone [in my humble opinion] pale next to their previous 21 track masterwork.) I plugged the disc into my stereo... synthesizers and loops all over the place. My head began to bob involuntarily. I am absolutely blown away by what I am hearing. Distinctly Crowder, but the envelope has been pushed so far out I forget everything I know. Infectious, melodic, intelligent, danceable, epic, awe-inspiring, worship. Church. Music. I fumble for words to describe what David Crowder*Band has accomplished, not only musically, but thematically, philosophically and spiritually. This record is a grand statement to anyone within earshot: Open your mind and reconsider what church music can/should be. Crowder and company embrace pop music like a long lost friend, but lyrically they have, if anything, become even more bold and passionate about their love for Jesus. They seem particularly fond of dance, synthpop and electronica this time around, but there are plenty of crunchy guitars, groovy bass lines and electric violins. Standout tracks for me (and there are MANY) are 'Alleluia, Sing', 'The Nearness', 'Eastern Hymn', 'The Veil', 'We Are Loved', the reworked Flyleaf cover 'All Around Me', the incredibly moving 'How He Loves', the disco title track... I really could go on and on. There's no filler here, which makes Church Music actually more substantial than 'A Collision.' And maintaining that type of consistency for 74 minutes is an accomplishment that very few in any genre can boast. This is a landmark record in the history of Christian music, and a full view of the shape of things to come. I don't know how they did it, but my apprehensions about topping 'A Collision' have been allayed. Simply stunning. {Note: I pre-ordered this from their website and received a guitar pick, two stickers, a poster, and a nifty 80 page magazine devoted entirely to DC*B and the new record. Needless to say, I am doubly pleased.}

Many people criticize the Remedy album for being sub-par due to the phenomenal beauty and artistry that came out of all his other albums.
However, I would only consider Crowder's Remedy album sub-par when compared to Crowder himself, if I were to compare the Remedy album to ANY other worship album, it would still COMPLETELY blow them out the water.

That being said, this album deserves more than 5 stars, it would deserve 5 stars on a completely DIFFERENT Crowder standard.
The production level put into this album is completely INSANE. Not many people understand how hard it is to produce electronic noises, you have to make/engineering these noises almost from scratch. Not just that, but if it doesn't sound good with the chord structures, rhythm, or the song itself, you have to start from scratch all over again, it's extremely tedious. They did this for the sole purpose of trying to create a new sound, feeling, expression, and emotion to be a band of people that are after God's own heart. It's amazing, it's as if they're trying to capture God's heart in a different way every year/album.
Also, all the little effects and back tracks that they use are EXTREMELY intricate. If you listen closely, you'll hear some AMAZING recording/production techniques that are both creative and unconventional. You'll start hearing that there are some female vocals in the background here, footsteps there, sounds of nature,to wind, and synths that combine for a feeling and ambience that have never been felt or heard of before.
I've listened to quality production recordings on many different levels in both secular and religious music, however, I've never heard a single album that is ANYwhere close to the level that this is on.
The David Crowder* Band has definitely put a lot of time, energy, and heart into pleasing God with a new feeling and sound. It's like saying that they're trying to search through the ends of their own heart to find that sound or part of their life that they have yet to give up/sacrifice/express to God in order to please him.
All said, this album is good, go get it.

David Crowder is a musical genius.

1) He and his band have crafted an album which that beautifully transitions from one song to another for 17 songs totaling 73 minutes. The last song also loops back around and is a transition to the first song. Sure other bands have accomplished similar feats, but it is not easy to do, especially to the brilliance that Crowder does it. As a song winds down, you can feel the tempo change and in sets up a certain anticipation for the next song.
2) The album is a history of church music. The album opens up with "Phos Hilaron", which is the oldest hymn in existence that is still being used today that isn't from the Bible. I don't know the specifics of each song, but I know the Eastern Hymn is from the Middle Ages when the Pope banned the tri-tone. In The End is obviously about the end of times when there is no suffering or hurting and we are in God's hands.
3) This entire album is a complete irony. You would not classify any of these songs as traditional worship songs (church music). In fact this whole album is electronically influenced. While the lyrics are obviously worshiping God, the instrumentation says otherwise. From the club vibe of "The Veil", to the 70's disco sound of "Church Music - Dance!", to the bips and bleeps found throughout the record that sounds like something off a NES game. The epic guitar work on "God Almighty". These are elements not found in a hymn, or even contemporary worship for that matter.

Each song is beautifully crafted and it is obvious that a tremendous amount of time and thought went into both writing and recording. The lyrics are deep and inspiring and there are plenty of different types of instrumentations to keep things fun and intersting. Each song stands on its own, but the album can only truly be fully experienced when listened to all the way through. Once you do that, you will find yourself craving to listen to it over and over.

The best part about this fabulous album is that it is an actual album of real praise and worship and not a collection of "worship" singles. Each song smoothly transitions into the next next giving the album a "live" feel. The lyrics are Christ-centered, and the music is innovative. So far, the best David Crowder*Band album available.

There are several well written reviews out there on this CD that gives specifics about each song, so I'll just say what this CD has meant to me.

In the recent past I've been saddened by the quality of Christian music available, it seems that we have just slipped into Christian-ese. Not able to speak to those that don't know the wonderful love of our Savior. They don't understand our language, our lifestyle, our hope, our music.

I have always enjoyed DC*B and felt that they never compromised their love for the Lord but also made our Lord accessible to the lost...part of the reason I loved them. This CD is the best yet to accomplish this goal. I would not have an qualms of giving this CD to a person that does not know the Lord, and knowing that they would enjoy the musicality of it...and pray that they will have questions to ask me regarding why we love the Lord so much...because it is evident in every lyric that is sung on this CD.

Lastly, I normally like to put my CDs on random because I get tired for anticipating the next song and usually end up falling asleep if I don't randomize the songs. Not so with this CD. Each song flows so well into the next, I feel that I miss out if I randomize. It is constant focus on our Lord.

Thank you David Crowder Band for leading us to focus on our Lord.

Thank You Lord for Your love, discipline, justice, sacrifice and giving such talent to these men.

When I first popped in 'Church Music,' I thought, "What in the world is this??!? At that point, I was thinking in disappointment, "I thought that I'd really like this CD."

You see, upon a quick listening scan of all the songs, all I could initially decipher was a synthesizer and beats, and I was actually put in remembrance of Mannheim Steamroller, of which I am not a fan.

But, knowing me and music, I knew that I had to KEEP listening, to actually hear the words, and by the third time I heard 'Church Music,' I loved it.

It's like a really, REALLY, good Christ-centered mixed tape, where most of the songs endings and beginning blend into each other. The beats and mixes are wonderfully unpredictable and in full range, reminiscent in style from Roger and Zapp, Mr. Mister, Depeche Mode, rock, metal-ish, techno, with ballads, but they are still quite unique, and they all work, well.

The lyrics are abstract at times, but I find them all terribly sincere, as how can anyone truly objectify or articulate Who GOD is, how wonderful He is, His beauty...

More than the beats and mixes, much more, is the fact that when I hear this DC*B CD, I am put into a mindset focusing on the majesty and glory of Christ, His beauty, compassion, and love. I find myself, even while driving, just wanting to fall on my face and worship in adoration, awe and gratitude.

Powerful. DC*B reminds me that music unlike traditional "church music" can still lead/help us to enter in to "that place" of worship.

When I hear music like this, it makes me think that the artist(s) has truly been spending time with the Lord, themselves, worshiping, in His presence.

Well done, DC*B. May the Lord continue to bless you all.

I thought about writing some long, clever review and then just decided all I needed to say was this:

1) Best Christian Album of 2009
2) Best David Crowder Album To Date (although A Collision is right there)
3) Best Christian CD of all time

The "sound" of the band really stands out on Church Music. It's an especially good album for headphones or expensive sound systems with industrial strength subwoofers. It's a lush, gorgeous sound that never sacrifices songwriting quality, staying on par with their best works. DCB always seems to impart a certain personality to their albums. This one blurs back and forth between dance and ambient electronica without ever being shallow. I have no idea how they make it work - but it definitely does work.

So many words, adjectives and flowing descriptions could be said here but I like to speak plainly.
This Album is incredible, creative, artistic, just PHENOMONAL.
Crowder and the guys really have done it again. My hats off to the Engineering Guru as well for blending and layering something fresh and new.
If the CCM industry was ever ready for it's own "Dark Side of The Moon" level of icon albums, this one is as about as close as it comes. (Not that this sounds like Pink Floyd but the iconic level of which. Although "God Almighty, None Compares" does have a Floyd/Rush feel to it)
GOOD JOB BOYS!!! 10 STARS OUT OF 10 STARS