The Mission Bell [ENHANCED]

Delirious?

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 27, 2005)
• Original Release Date: December 27, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Label: Sparrow
• ASIN: B000CC3S96
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (45 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #76,381 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The UK's leading Christian rock act started out as a worship band in Littlehampton, West Sussex. Martin Smith (guitar/vocals), Stewart "Stew" Smith (drums) and Tim Jupp (keyboards) inaugurated the Cutting Edge in 1992 to play at a monthly youth club in their church. Features the songs 'Stronger' and 'Solid Rock'. Fury. 2005. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The British rockers return with their strongest effort yet!, December 27, 2005

By	Brian Reaves (Anniston, AL USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Delirious has returned after last year's hit CD World Service with the perfect follow up. The band has long had a history of hit-and-miss records (Touch wasn't a critical favorite), but they're really knocked it out of the park with this one. Mission Bell, one of their strongest efforts in years, shows the band in familiar territory while still stretching their musical palette with interesting results.

I don't know if it's just the British music sound right now or if they're paying homage to their influences, but while their other CD's gave you a glimpse of "What if U2 was a Christian band?", Mission Bell has to take the sub-title of "What if Coldplay got saved?". From the opening strains of "Stronger" you know you're in for a great album.

"Stronger" might be considered an odd choice of an opener considering the fact it doesn't just explode out of the gate right off the bat. Instead, it sets the stage for what is to follow. "Now is the Time", co-written with Matt Redman, comes next and picks things up nicely. Songs like "Solid Rock" and "Our God Reigns" have powerful choruses with the usual great guitar licks we're used to from Stu G. "Solid Rock" even treats us to a little rap bridge that works. Not what we're used to from these boys, but that's what makes this disc fun: they're stepping out of the familiar formula here and there.

"Fires Burn" could easily be called "Speed of Sound Part 2", as it sounds a lot like the Coldplay hit. As a matter of fact, "Stronger", "All This Time" and "Fires Burn" could have come from "X&Y".

The CD closes with "I'll See You". Guest vocalist Moya Brennan (Enya's sister and the lead singer of Clannad) adds a perfect touch to this quiet, reflective tune. Just as the disc ushered you into it with subdued fervor, it leads you out the same way.

Not that this is perfect. "Paint the Town Red" is a little weak compared to everything preceding it. It's not so bad as to be unbearable; it just seems a little out of place.

Some bands are content to keep the same sound forever. Others tend to change so dramatically from release to release they lose much of their fan base. Delirious has found a happy middle here, stretching the boundaries while not deviating so badly as to lose anyone. They've definitely progressed as musicians (listen to King of Fools and then pop this one in to hear the difference), while still staying loyal to the music the fans love.

There is a strong sprinkling of rockers with the more relaxed tunes. While nothing on this CD will probably ever be sung in church, this disc may live in your CD player for a while. If you're a fan of their other albums, Mission Bell is a winner. If you've never given Delirious a chance before, this is the perfect introductory CD to them. Fans of Coldplay, U2, Radiohead, and The Listening should grab a copy.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars fire, May 15, 2006

By	R. Sung (nyc) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

bear with me.. i'd describe shane&shane's music as the passion of a Christian's walk with God.. david crowder band as the joy.. and delirious? as the fire/fiery passion(?) for God.. as God's army.. true.. the songs sound the same.. if ur mindlessly listening to the music while taking the train home.. but these songs have lyrics for a reason.. and what heart-felt lyrics they are.. honestly.. i don't think i could have appreciated this album or delirious?'s heavy hand in the rock genre if i didn't see them in concert.. which is when i saw the heart that was behind every word sung and note played.. which is when i saw the sincerity pass the fog machine and professional lighting.. for a band that could so easily get caught up in themselves and their own glory.. delirious is a breath of fresh air during at time when more and more artists dance over the line of Christian and/or mainstream artists.. delirious? never hides the fact that they love God.. that they are here for God.. and all that they do is for the glory of their Heavenly Father.. now that's how it should be done.. also reading the background on the songs while listening to them is quite moving.. especially for "i'll see you" and "miracle maker" ([...].. scroll to the bottom)

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best album I own!, March 3, 2006

By	Ben From Belfast - See all my reviews

This is my fave album of all time. I'm a big fan of Third day and Jars of Clay, and I liked Delerious?, but was a little put off by the way all their songs sounded the same. Well, they certainly solved that problem!!!

I was at their concert in Belfast last summer when they played a few of these songs, and I knew this album was gonna be spectacular.

It lived up to my expectations, a truly inspired work of God glorifying art!

Go paint YOUR town red. . .