Customer Reviews

Exodus

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Michael W. Smith has created a classic. From the opening sounds of the Exodus Theme Song (reminiscent of a movie theme much like the "Prologue" to Steven Curtis Chapman's Great Adventure), to the soft opening of dc Talk's "My Will" any listener knows they're in for a treat. While "My Will" may seem the standout track on the album, "Needful Hands" by Jars of Clay gives it much competition for that title. Then, a gem of a pop song, "Brighten My Heart" by the airlike vocals of Leigh Nash (Sixpence None the Richer) hold the Cd. Cindy Morgan and Chris Rice keep up the top notch talent with their two songs, and the Katinas stand out with a stunning song called "Draw Me Close." Third Day's contribution is wonderfully done, just edgy enough to maintain their trademark sound. Somehow, the hardness just adds to the power of the tune. Crystal Lewis and MWS's songs maintain the awesomeness of this album. Remarkably, every song is single material, and this album is timeless in every way. These worship songs will never go out of style - the the truths they proclaim will always be alive.

This album came out over 3 years ago and it is still one of my favorites. It came out before Praise and Worship music really took off in popularity (it was always popular, I mean the more "modern" worship songs). This compilation was put together by Michael W. Smith, whose newest album "Worship" is due to be released on 9/11/01. Every single song on this album is unique and a real work of art. There isn't a "weak" song on this album! The artists include newcomers (back in 1998 they were newcomers!) Chris Rice and The Katinas. Actually, the Katinas' song on this album, Draw Me Close, was the first I had heard them. Later, they came out with their own album, which many people rushed to buy after hearing them on Exodus! Even though all the songs are so different from each other, the album works together as a whole to bring you to throne of God, in worship! It's just incredible! Actually, my favorite tracks are the last half of the album, which you can't listen to here on Amazon! You'll have to trust me on this one - this album is a must-have for any Christian music fan. My favorites are actually the last 3 songs on the album. Third Day does an INCREDIBLE job on Michael W Smith's "Agnus Dei" (from "Go West Young Man"). Such powerful worship!! The next song is Crystal Lewis' renditon of "Salvation Belong to Our God" and then Michael himself sings Rich Mullins' song "I See You". Rich Mullins died in a car accident less than a year before this album was released. His life and death had a powerful impact on Michael W Smith, and "I See You" is an amazing ending to a fabulous worship project! I'd have to put this album in my list of all-time favorite Christian albums! Please check out my other reviews of Christian music and Christian books.

I have about 5 CDs in my collection that I would not give up for any amount of anything. They are priceless. I am happy to say that "Exodus" is one of the albums that holds this esteemed position. Each and every song on this CD is a masterpiece. As someone else said: if you were to take the 5 best songs off of this album, the rest of the songs would still be worth 5 stars. This is so true!

"Exodus" is a thrilling anthem of praise to our God. Written by Michael W. Smith, this almost all instrumental piece is the perfect start to a perfect CD.

"My Will" is one of the best songs by dc Talk that I've ever heard. It has some of the best lyrics I've heard from them, as well as fantastic vocals.

"Needful Hands" is one of my favorite songs from my top-favorite group, Jars of Clay. It's softer than a lot of their songs, and the way they perform that style just begs for more like it. My favorite lyrics on the CD come from this song: "You are my eyes when I cannot see / You are my voice see sing through me / You are my strength in weakness be / Holy

"Make Us One" is the best song by Cindy Morgan ever! I love the way it starts very softly, with delicate piano music in the background. Then it slowly crescendos, coming to an exhiliarating finish.

"Brighten My Heart" by Sixpence None the Richer can leave no doubt in your mind about the group's Christian theme. The lyrics come from an old Celtic proverb, or something like it, and the music is very soft and sweet, sung by Leigh Nash.

"Nothin'" by Chris Rice reminds me of singing around a campfire, like on the music video of this song. In fact, in the "Most-singable" category, this wins top awards.

"Agnus Dei" by Third Day is a fantastic, slightly harder and powerful worship song, written by Michael W. Smith.

"Draw Me Close" is a favorite worship song of mine, and it's sung beautifully by the relatively new brother group, The Katinas.

"Salvation Belongs to Our God" - The first time I heard this song was on this CD, and Crystal Lewis's voice backed by an awesome choir makes this song very "singable" as well.

"I See You" - what contemporary praise-and-worship record would be complete without a song by the beloved, late Rich Mullins? This song, sung by Michael W. Smith is a reminder that God is everywhere.

Exodus is a favorite of mine.. all the songs are riveting and inspiring, touching and enthralling. I find great pleasure knowing that there is still music out there with a purpose and a fulfilling Cause.

Not being a huge fan of Michael W. Smith doesn't mean you can't appreciate this CD. This CD works because the worship doesn't become a smarmy, meaningless amalgum of non-discript "pop gospel," much too common nowadays. Instead, each song is like an intense, honest prayer. Some artists' prayers are gritty; some are less so. Even MWS is good! DC Talk's "My Will," Crystal Lewis' "Salvation Belongs to the Lord" and Third Day's "Agnus Dei" are the cream of the crop.

Michael W. Smith organized one of the best, if not THE BEST compilation of Christian music I have ever heard. This album has NOTHING BUT CLASSICS and I would be lying if I said I haven't listened to it 50-60 times in the last couple years. The indirect tribute to Rich Mullins at the end just clinches the heart and creativity of the CD. (I would give this CD 6 stars if I could!)

Great upbeat songs: MY WILL (DC Talk), AGNUS DEI (Third Day), I SEE YOU (Michael W. Smith)
Great mellow songs: MAKE US ONE (Cindy Morgan), DRAW ME CLOSE (The Katinas), SALVATION BELONGS TO OUR GOD (Crystal Lewis)

I have actually bought this one for others and had never-ending thanks. :) This music will lift your mind and your spirit straight to heaven. 5 STARS PLUS!

You won't need to hit the skip button for this one...

If you removed the best 5 songs from this CD, the other 5 would still be worth a 5 star rating. If you like CCM, and maybe even if you don't, this is an essential album. I have never heard a CD where all the songs sounded diffrent from each other and yet somehow the album has a certain natural, beautiful flow to it. All the songs are incredible and focus on the Lord in a very refreshing, exciting way. If you are in need of a spiritual boost, this CD will do the trick. I could rave about any of the songs on here- it's that good. Especially noteworthy is the beautiful, powerful yet intimate feel of Draw Me Close. Agnus Dei- well, that's just incredible, especially when I heard Third Day perform it in concert. That song is just full-blown all-out praise. I See You ends with an epic sort of feel as if you just got a little closer to heaven. The other tracks, especially My Will and Needful Hands, could also be considered the strongest tracks on the album.

As a whole, this album made me feel something that transcends this mundane, imperfect world. This album causes me to focus less on the things of this world and more on God's grace and love and the hope of our future in heaven.

In short, all the hype about this album is true. This is one CD you won't want to be without.

This music is tear-jerking and so moving that this CD is my favorite CD. Every song has a message for today's world that is so awesome... My favorite is #7 - Draw Me Close... I love it so much, so if you want to hear a good album, compilation or not, then you need to get Exodus. My life has changed because of this CD! If you want an mp3 sample of this CD message me on Yahoo! - mjmrad or ICQ - 6372098...

This is an excellent mix of different groups singing the word of God. You will be thoroughly pleased with this as an addition to you music library. Beautiful!

i think it could be. i got this CD for free and the only reason why i took it home was because i got it for free. but i sure am glad i took it home. for about a year it just stayed in my CD rack. until about a month ago when i was bored and needed something to listen to, so i grad this CD to listen to. i listend to the whole thing thinking i never remembered it being this good before. all the songs are awesome. you can truely hear how much these artist love God. this is a great collection of worship that will never get boring. if you like this CD also check out a new worship album called "city on a hill".