Customer Reviews

Give Us Rest

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

David Crowder's final album, "Give Us Rest", was inspired by a requiem mass, or a "mass of the dead", frequently celebrated in the context of a funeral (according to Wikipedia). With a history of such incredible albums as "A Collision" and "Church Music", which are two of my all-time favorite albums by Crowder, could their final album possibly be their greatest yet?

First, a few quick initial impressions (for those who don't want to read the entire review):
* The album is much more musically diverse than their last album, "Church Music", which could be a positive or negative depending on your viewpoint. As a whole, this album sounds less cohesive and single-minded musically, which means that occasionally it "flows" a bit oddly. Personally, I appreciate the musical diversity. In this sense, it's much more like the highly diverse "A Collision", to which "Give Us Rest" is a direct successor.
* There are very few - if any - radio-ready K-LOVE singles off this album. Nothing sounds 'standard', like "How He Loves" off Church Music or "Everything Glorious" on Remedy. Likely singles, if any, would include "Come Find Me" (possibly the most radio-ready of any track), current single "Let Me Feel You Shine", and perhaps "Fall On Your Knees" or "After All (Holy)". However, these are NOT corporate worship songs, as every song - being highly intricate and unique and wonderful in its own way - would be a challenge to pull off by a standard worship band. For those looking for more corporate worship staples or K-LOVE-style songs, I would not recommend this album. (Instead, I would suggest DCB's earlier album "Remedy" or Gungor's "Beautiful Things", both of which are phenomenal in these areas)
* This album seems a bit slower in tempo than "Church Music" or "A Collision", although it certainly does have its moments. Or, put another way, since this album is 34 tracks, there's the normal number of upbeat songs, but the "additional" slots are filled largely by instrumentals and slower, very personal songs of worship. Not a bad shift, it's just different than the very upbeat, dance/techno-inspired "Church Music".
* The first disc is very experimental and techno-driven, sounding similar to "Church Music". The second disc has a bent toward bluegrass, as explored on segments of "A Collision".

SONG-BY-SONG (For more detail and personal opinion; the instrumental interludes have been skipped, although they all flow wonderfully and help bridge the many musical styles employed by the songs)
OH GREAT GOD, GIVE US REST - The song starts very slow and beautifully, as a poignant plea to God to save us from the troubles of this world. Around the halfway mark, the song morphs into an uptempo cry to the heavens ("Let it shine!... come to life"), before dialing back down once again to just Crowder and his piano at the end. A very epic beginning to the album. 4.5/5
COME FIND ME - Possibly my favorite song on the entire album. The songs positively explodes with exuberance and glee, as Crowder sings of how finding God (or, rather, God finding him) led to the true beginning of his life. The song, in this context, fits very well within the album's exploration of life and death. This is one of the few tracks on the album I could see on the radio, in the way "Here is Our King" caught on with a similar acoustic-electronic blend. 5/5
GOD HAVE MERCY (KYRIE ELEISON) - "Kyrie Eleison" is Latin for "Lord, have mercy". The lyrics express just this: a desperate plea for mercy. The lyrics are simple but effective. One of the more instrumental-heavy, eclectic songs on the entire record (and that's saying something!), and the conclusion goes on for over a minute and a half. A bit long in my opinion, but still good! 3.5/5
WHY ME? - Here, Crowder explores the question of "why? Why does God find *me* worthy of his grace?" It's very slow and simple, and may be one of my least favorite on the project, although it's by no means "bad". 3/5
FALL ON YOUR KNEES - Another radio single candidate, although it's like nothing the band has done before. The chorus ("Fall on your knees / Forgiven and clean / Forgiven and free / Oh my God, it's too wonderful") keeps us progressing on the album's path of new life through salvation, as the believer fully accepts the grace of God ("Oh, reverent love, burn us up / Until what I was is gone"). 4/5
LET ME FEEL YOU SHINE - Phenomenal. When the single released last year, it became one of my favorite songs of all-time. Very catchy, and touching on a theme I've been working through myself, wanting to really know and feel God, not just know about Him. The opening lines are among my favorites: "This place is trying to break my belief / But my faith is bigger than all I can see". 5/5
BLESSEDNESS OF EVERLASTING LIGHT - This is a very "Church Music"-y song, but it boasts an oddly playful feel. The best way I can describe it is almost circus-esque, even though that feels wrong. The arrangement is really on display here, and the lyrics cover the same topic as "Kyrie Eleison" earlier. 4/5
SEQUENCES - Oh my goodness. These are really quite terrific, and flow together flawlessly (it's impossible to tell where one ends and another begins without cheating and looking at which is playing). 5/5, with more detailed thoughts on each below.
01 - The refrain "Day of wrath / Oh, day of mourning" repeats as intense rock music (akin to Church Music's "God Almighty, None Compares) plays in the background.
02 - A chorus chants in Latin for the entire song. It feels like the soundtrack to a Star Wars film. Very intense, although I have no idea what they're singing...
03 - A very chill instrumental. Sets the stage for...
04 - A very chill acoustic song by the band. Recounts the death of Christ and thanks God for coming. Very pleasant.
05 - ...And then it gets all intense on us again. Crowder growls - yes, you read that right - through the verses ("You left me in the dark"), and the target of these seemingly angry lyrics appears is not very clear. It seems to be God, as the song concludes with a sudden shift to calm music and a simple plea: "Oh, save a place for me / To Your right hand up raise me"
06 - There's another tonal shift here, and we're back to acoustic guitar. The first time I heard the song, I didn't even realize that the song consists of only one lyric: "I bow low with all my heart". Very reverential.
07 - I don't know how to describe the music... let's just say it's very "Crowder-ish". The lyrics are, once again, "Spare us, Oh God", returning to a common theme on the album (explored previously by "Blessedness..." and "Kyrie Eleison").
OH MY GOD - The first real song of Disc 2, and we can already hear the bluegrass influence (which is going to be VERY prevalent on this disc) returning. The theme of life and rebirth in Christ returns once more, with lyrics like "Death will lose and we will win / I'm born all over". One of my favorites on the album. 5/5
I AM A SEED - This song, curiously, shares the same backing music (as far as I can tell) as "Oh My God", allowing a very easy musical transition. This song explores the idea of rising again, like a seed pushed into the ground that will grow into a tree. I don't like it quite so much as "Oh My God", but it's still a very strong track, and despite the similarities with "Oh My God", the music somehow never gets old. 4.5/5
AFTER ALL (HOLY) - After getting a pre-release copy of the album from Passion 2012, a friend messaged me, saying "You *have* to check out this track. It's my favorite." I understand why. One of the few "Church Music"-flavored songs on Disc 2, this song just sits in complete awe and wonder at our Lord and Savior, with lyrics like "Oh, I've dreamed dreams of majesty as brilliant as a billion stars / But they're never bright enough after all". The writer, unable to wrap his mind around God, settles for a chorus of just declaring "You're holy", and concluding with "I can't comprehend / You're infinitely beautiful". The musical arrangement, mid-tempo throughout, suits it just perfectly. 5/5
THERE IS A SOUND - What a peculiar track. The musical arrangement starts off slow, drops out altogether, then builds up to a strong chorus, before shifting altogether for an incredible breakdown and then dropping out once again, before returning. The song's lyrics glorify God, continuing Disc 2's lyrical theme. 3.5/5
OH, GREAT LOVE OF GOD - The best way to describe how this song sounds? The whole song sounds like the end of Church Music's "How He Loves", with the standard band 'climaxing' music accompanying praiseful music. 3.5/5
OUR COMMUNION - Chill until about halfway, like the opener "Oh Great God..." Curiously, when it suddenly becomes uptempo, they repeat the lyrics from the 'slow' part of "Oh Great God". 3.5/5
SOMETIMES - A "building" song, starting out slow and gradually (not abruptly, like the prior track) growing more intense until a sonic climax. Very good lyrically, but pretty standard fare. 3.5/5
A RETURN - The lyrics are from the perspective of one who's fallen away and wants God to come find him once more. The language calls to mind the story of the Prodigal Son, with a refrain of "The Son has come home". Very interesting. 4/5
OH, MY GOD I'M COMING HOME - Reminiscent of "Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven" off A Collision, if extended for an entire song. Curious choices in the production of the song make it feel overlong, as Crowder's voice slowly fades as the song goes on. 3.5/5
LEANING ON THE EVERLASTING ARMS / TIS SO SWEET TO TRUST IN JESUS - One of the few songs that finishes sounding similar to how it began. If you liked such songs as "I Saw the Light" from A Collision, you'll like this, even if this is slightly less memorable than that track. 4/5
JESUS, LEAD ME TO YOUR HEALING WATERS - A charming bluegrass tune. 4/5
BECAUSE HE LIVES - The last DCB song! :( Very personal; the music is calm, allowing the vocals to shine. The chorus is simple but very true, with the perfect closer: "Life is worth the living just because he lives". 4/5
(An intriguing note: unlike most of Crowder's "concept" albums, this one is not designed so that the CD will play in a continuous loop, like "Church Music" or "A Collision". This is probably due to its nature as a "last" album, and the very concept of it being a funeral and a finale, but I found that interesting.)

Overall, while only time and repeated listenings will tell whether it's better than prior masterpieces "A Collision" and "Church Music" (my initial impression is that it is better than the former, slightly inferior to the latter), David Crowder Band has crafted a very worthy, very strong final album. If you can't buy the full album - and I recommend you do, for the full experience - then at least buy "Come Find Me", "Let Me Feel You Shine", "After All (Holy)", and "Oh My God".

Well done, David Crowder Band. You've earned your rest, and you will be missed.

Hey folks, been a long time Crowder fan - appreciate their influence and how many times I've entered into personal worship and adoration of the Lord through their music and ministry...but this last album of theirs...it's taking a while to sink into and get used to. Perhaps I need a few more listening sessions...but it's just not doing it for me. Perhaps they've become OVERPRODUCED like there are too many cooks at the mixing board...all of these additives and sounds quirks and I guess I just miss the rock and roll worship sound of their band. Perhaps I'm displaying my age, but I was eager to enjoy this album and I will miss them being around, but I haven't quite gotten there yet. Another part of me also appreciates their live stuff with the Passion series...I find that with other bands like United Live - their studio work is subpar compared to the live music with other worshippers. Crowder's band is always better live, it seems, than in the studio. Yes, the latter sounds sharper and cleaner, but the live stuff just gets to that heavenly place...which for me is why I enjoyed the band in the first place. Sorry fans, just my opinion.

Peace and grace to the Crowder Band and their families.

Accidently bought this version instead of the one with the PDF. Why do you even sell this?
Anyhow, a spectacular, bittersweet finish to an amazing career of talented, down-to-earth musicians.
You will be missed!

I wish I had the time or words to truly describe this album but it would not do it justice. A great mix of harder Passion/radio-friendly songs (especially disc 2) mixed with bluegrass and "experimental" tracks- experimental at least when compared to most anything else these days in mainstream Christian music. If you're looking for the next Ron Kenoly, stay away, but if you want your personal worship sonic-filled, complex, yet singable, purchase this album now. DC*B, you will be missed.

This album is like a cross- country drive. You're not sure where you are going, but as the trip starts you realize that that this trip is going to be memorable and you're going to see things you've never seen before. 34 tracks is alot to digest, but if you have the time to listen from beginning to end, you'll enjoy a ride unlike any other.

I will keep this short and sweet. Buy the cd! If you like David Crowder Band at all you will LOVE this music and be very blessed! It has everything, every kind of music plus it is a double cd, so I felt like I got a great deal too!

DC*B has taken us on an amazing aural journey of fantastic praise & worship. Quite simply put, they saved their best work for last. Everyone second of this record oozes with divine inspiration. What a talented and blessed group of diverse musicians. Hopefully someday we will get another masterpiece like this from them.

David Crowder and his band have led us on a merry journey over the last 7 albums, from upstarts who sounded like nothing else out there to the go-to guys for some of the best, most creative praise and worship rock around. Crowder's amazing, idiosyncratic voice and the unfailing songwriting always kept our eyes on Jesus. I am sad that this is the last planned Dave Crowder Band album. I am happy that it is so fantastic. Like Rich Mullins wonderful liturgical influenced work (A Liturgy, A Legacy, and A Ragamuffin Band), Crowder uses the Requiem as the touchstone in this album. But there is hardly a trace of sadness here-this is a requiem full of thankfulness, of joy, of worship. Finishing the album up with hymns like "Because He Lives" gives me absolute chills every time I hear it. This is a wonderful album, full of real and genuine adoration, full of hope and full of the ingredients that make Crowder's music so creative and special. I am thankful that we have this final document of an amazing band--perhaps most amazing because they never seem to want to keep the focus on them, but only on Jesus. Highly, enthusiastically recommended.

DCB's final album may just be their best. 34 tracks! My favorites are Sequence 7, Sometimes, and A Return. If you only buy one CD this year, make it this one. You won't regret it.

One word: Superb! Everything I'd expect from David Crowder*Band and much more. Sorry to see them go but looking forward to the new projects that follow from B-wack, Mike, Jack, and Mark in their new band, and I'm sure David Crowder and the others have much planned. Thanks guys for an amazing run of fantastic music.

BTW - if you are interested in vinyl, you can get the vinyl album at the DC*B website. So far have not seen it here on Amazon.