Customer Reviews

Life Is A Church

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Here is take #4. Journey to Grace was great for a demo/indie recording. The self-titled was good for shopping for a label. I was quite disappointed in Revelation as it didn't really focus on a lot of David's strengths (except for Just As I Am). Even though I am thoroughly disappointed that he quit the Vocal Band to sing for an audience that doesn't understand his talent, the CD is his best so far. But yet, I still listen to his music considering his technique is dead on. I've never heard a male voice that I thought was more perfect. Even when he switches to his operatic training, it sounds so much less strained and laborious than his Met counterparts. I would strongly recommend this CD to all fans of CCM, exquisite male voices, or good inspirational lyrics.

I was a bit apprehensive when I bought this album, but my fears were put to rest when I heard it. David's voice is truly amazing! I enjoyed his singing a great deal when he was with the Gaither Vocal Band. This style is far different from his days with GVB, but he has certainly proven that he can belt it out with the best of them on his own. This is an awesome example of his ability to minister musically. A must buy!

I am glad David Phelps has left the Gaither Vocal Band. I think he was "hidden" there and not many people outside of Gaither fans had heard his talents. Life is a Church is a great album with some of the classic things we have come to know and love from David but also a different side. It's possible that fans of the Gaither style of music wont appriciate David's latest effort but as for me all I can say is it's about time he went solo!

I have been a huge fan of David Phelps for about 5 years now. I was raised with southern gospel music all of my life, so I really enjoyed watching him sing with the Gaither Vocal Band. Now that he has gone solo, I truly miss his presence in the GVB, but I love his newer music. It is definitely more contemporary, but his ardent delivery, unbelievable range, and soul-inspiring lyrics move me deeply.

David is blessed with an incredible voice - I truly believe he is one of the greatest male singers alive. He is classically trained and the quality of his voice is amazing. Although I believe I have seen him at his best performing at a Gaither Homecoming, this is an exceptional collection of music.

The words to his songs are very powerful and profound. I adore "That's What Love Is," "Legacy of Love," and "The Name Lives On." However, all of the songs offer great inspiration and catchy melodies.

His choice to go contemporary is one I strongly support because of his ability to reach more people. Others who have also grown up with southern gospel music have expressed a desire for him to stay with his roots, but I feel he has so much to offer and shouldn't be limited to one style when he can do so much more for Christian music.

David is a passionate singer with a prodigious voice and once again has made a fantastic album.

I have been a fan of David's since 2000. I own all of his albums and this one is at the top. Many wonderful stories and meanings behind the music. His voice touches heights only God can touch! He is gifted. He is special. He is a blessing. Thank you David and all those who made this album. Absolutely perfect! Some highlights were, the last minute of "Gentle Savior" - what transition! The beat of "Power"...what buildup from the beginning to the end..."With His Love" makes you stand up and praise Him.

Thank you Lord for giving us the voice of David Phelps.

David Phelps is unparalleled in Christian music. His voice soars on the high end, but lacks presence on the low end. I have to differ with one of the other reviewers. David certainly received "classical" training, but he is not a classical singer. While I absolutely love this man's voice, he would sound like a pop singer trying to sing classical music at this point in his life. If you've listened to Andrea Bocelli's classical recordings, same idea.

Classical singers work endless hours to refine their voices as well as their craft and to refer to someone outside that genre as such is truly a misstatement. Just to clarify, I have a masters degree in vocal performance and teach voice at a university and a local Christian college as well.

David is phenomenal and this album is no let down.

Of all David's solo albums, I really think this is his best yet. It has a theme throughout: family, redemtion, love. Musically, it's varied...personally, I love the "classic" David sound, as on "Gentle Savior", "The Name Lives On", "That's what Love is." The other tracks are good as well. They showcase his versatility as a vocalist, from the more 'rock' sound of "Something's gotta change", to the incredibly soft and gentle throughout, lullabuy quality, "Visions of God" (a very nice song he wrote about his children), to the guts to try new things musically that a "classical" singer usually stays away from (e.g. 'Long Time Coming'). The title track "Life is a Church", took me awhile to get into, but I love the lyrics, even though he didn't write them, and the music is compelling. He packs a lot of emotion into singing this song, and the line about "my little boy asked me, does goodbye always...hurt?" is heart-wrenching, the lyrics, music, and vocal presentation definitly paint a picture of every scene in the song. I agree with many who say that this song is probably better live than recorded, the recorded version I think, probably has lost a little bit of the raw power of the song.

His extensive vocal training and talent is evident, especially on songs such as "Gentle Savior"; he has a very beautiful, exquisite sound, especially on the slower tracks, but it does not sound overdone. I personally hope he never strays far from his 'classical' roots in terms of his training and the big, powerful ballads. I think it's part of what sets him apart from so many others right now in the Christian music industry; it's just plain different than the Christian music industry is used to hearing, and I think it's GREAT!!

We are all so used to hearing the *amazing* high end of his range as a tenor, that I was pleased to hear "Behold the Lamb" which starts out in a lower, baritone like quality for him. His voice in the lower registers (e.g. "chest voice") has a very warm, pleasing, comforting quality about it, and I hope in subsequent albums, he lets us hear more of that part of his voice, too.

Overall, I think that this is a really good buy, especially for current fans of David Phelps, but also good for those who don't really know much about who he is. God bless him, his family, his career, and I know I've been blessed by this album.

Generally, a mature pop album. Less loud high notes than a typical Gaither concert.
Has a different feel to his "The Voice" album. I've never been crazy about his solo albums but... this one is much better than I expected it to be.

With his love sing Holy - A song you can easily bop your head to. Slightly rocky feel to it. Not neccessarily one of the strongest.
Something's Gotta Change - A song with a typical CCM AC pop chorus. Properly follows the first track.

Life is A Church - Slight gospel tones with a gospel choir on this one. Starts off with an acoustic feel then builds up. Easy to see why it's the title track.
That's What Love is - Erm, my favourite for now but don't ask me why. This is very well sung. It has an orchestra backed feeling to it.
Behold The Lamb - more Gaither-like sounding to me. He lets loose here and sangs!
Long time coming - Erm, David gets into a slight rap thingy here sounding like John Reuben? All in all, it surprisingly does work well.
Gentle Saviour - This song is calm, well sung and well written. He does really really sing here.

Visions of God - has an acoustic feel to it. The vocals are understated and suited for the accompanying instrumentals. No unneccessary shouting and high notes here.
Power - Another guitar laced pop tune, a bit catchy.
The Name Lives On - Here, time for intimacy. well sung and produced ballad. Here he lets loose and holds back on the vocals at the right points and so the worship feel is authentic. Easily a stand out.
Legacy of Love - Similar to the previous track. A well produced pop ballad. Good lyrics here and they are sure to touch touch your heart.

This is one of the first solo cd's I bought from him. I think it is a really great cd. Although some songs doesn't show the power and intensity of his amazing talent. I love his capibility of doing different style singing, but I really enjoy the songs that bring out how high he can bring and carry a tune, my gosh, he's great.

I love this CD as much as his previous CDs. I have 3 out of 4 of my David Phelps CDs in my CD changer at all times, including this one. At Christmas time, I have all 4. I have several favorite songs from each of his CDs. I've ordered the CD and DVD, Legacy of Love - David Phelps Live! that comes out Sept 12. I can't wait. I recently saw him in concert and can say it was the best concert I've ever been to. His voice is incomparable! I am so glad he decided to go solo. He was great with the Gaither Vocal Band but, to me, I was always waiting to hear 'more of David' - now I can hear much more of his beautiful voice and inspiring massages. Even my teenage daughter listens to David Phelps - she always has several of his songs on her iPod Shuffle, on mixed Cds and often when at the computer, she is playing his songs on iTunes. How many mothers can say that about their teenagers?! Needless to say, we both are inspired and moved by his music. Each song is like a hug from God. David is truly blessed and I am thankful that he went solo. I look forward to many more CDs from him.