Customer Reviews

Offerings: A Worship Album

5 star:		(107)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Yet another fabulous album by Third Day! There are a number of never-before-heard tracks as well as live tracks from recent concerts. The booklet includes all of the lyrics, messages from the band and a few pictures. The disc itself is designed to look like a reel on an old reel-to-reel tape machine with a piece of masking tape stuck on it... very nifty. When you remove the CD, the clear case below features a shot of the band playing before a large audience.

The same rough & raw sound, penetrating lyrics and beautiful voices (lead and background vocals) you're already familiar with are here once again, with new and familiar material. The tempo of these songs are not as fast as some of their songs like "Sky Falls Down," but if you're a Third Day fan, you won't be disappointed. For folks who've only heard a few of their singles on the radio, you'll be happy to know that all of their music is of the same caliber of those few songs that get radio play. Easy on the ears and great rockin' music. I highly recommend this disc.

Third Day fans who've been to a show will enjoy this CD since it aims to capture the most worshipful sections of the band's live performances. I was surprised to find mostly covers and live versions of their studio recordings on this disc--Don Moen, Michael W. Smith, Jacob's Trouble and even some Bob Dylan! The original songs are awesome, however, and definately worth buying the CD--even just for those tracks.

As with any live recordings, the guitar and bass parts vary slightly from the original songs, but that's usually a good thing. With Third Day Offerings, you get to hear more of Tai's great bass work (tight tone, too!) and Mark's and Brad's more energetic/ hyper live playing styles. Most important, however, is the reason this album was made: for Worship. It really is great to hear all your favorite Thrid Day songs being sung together with a live audience in praise and worship to the Lord.

You get to hear a song done originally for Conspiracy No. 5 (one of my favorite Third Day CDs) with the same dark mystery that colors most of that project. On Offerings, there's a secret track at the end of #11. It's cool little acoustic tune (almost sounds like Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers turned Christian!) that comes in at 6:32.

If you don't have the other Thrid Day CDs, this is a must-buy. If you do, it's still very much worth it for the new songs that are on here.

With all the artist lead worship albums released, sometimes they can all start to run together. Third Day had a wonderful idea for their first worship album, originally released in 2000. They wrote and recorded new worship songs, but also recorded some of their best worship songs live, giving the album a unique feel.

The project starts with "King of Glory" an original song that answers the question "Who is this King of Glory?" It's easy to get caught up in the praise offered here. "These Thousand Hills" is next. While not original, it is the first time they've recorded it. This one takes off from the idea that God owns the cattle on a thousand hills. Similarly covered on this CD is Bob Dylan's "Saved" and Michael W. Smith's "Agnus Dei." This last one gets the live treatment since they had previously recorded it for the EXODUS CD that Rocketown Records put out a few years previously.

Mixed in are some live tracks. The first of these is actually the third song, "Your Love Oh Lord." I've loved this song which flows out of considering God's love and faithfulness to us since the first time I heard it. "My Hope is You" is a worship based cry of trust in the only Person we truly can trust in this life. Both of these songs would work well in a church service as well as on this album.

The album closes with my favorite Third Day song of all time, "Love Song." (Ok, so there's a hidden track after it, but I'm not counting that here.) This song, written from Jesus' point of view, talking about all Jesus has done to save us still stops me every time I hear it.

Third Day's passion for worship God comes through in every song, making it easy to worship along with them. This is a standout in the modern worship field that will be enjoyed over and over again.

Known for Contemporary Christian music, Third Day have taken an alternate route in making their newest CD, "Offerings: A worship album." Combining their talent in Christian music with their devotion to God, they have created the ultimate worship album.

Lead singer, Mac Powell, uses his deep, rich voice throughout the CD to give the CD a "Majestic" sound. The first song, "King of Kings," starts with "Who is this King of glory with strength and majesty and wisdom beyond measure, the gracious King of Kings." Mac Powell was born to sing these words.

The energy level that this band puts out is incredible. You don't even want to sing to it; you just want to sit in silence. At the beggining of the first track, which is recorded live, Mac Powell says "I hope you didn't come here hoping for a Third Day concert. I hope you came for much, much more. Cause we gonna have us a church service tonight."

Unlike most worship albums, these songs have a faster, stronger beat. People who enjoy worship music, but seem to be bored by it's slowness should buy this CD. If I could have given this CD a rating over 10, I would have. I highly reccomend this CD for anyone seeking a closer relationship to God. These songs put you in the mood to worship God.

Third Day is quite possibly the best Christian rock band that is around today. I have not heard a band that can express their faith with such a passionte way without coming across as chessy or threatening. These guys are as serious about making good music as they are about lifting up the name of Jesus. They do this in the most powerful and spiritual sense without the typical "Jesus Rocks, Dude!" menality of some new bands. I have many non-Chistian friends that have expressed interest in hearing more from Third Day and found their CDs to be great witnessing tools. Offerings is an amazing album. You will find yourself wanting to lift your hands in praise as you listen. There are a couple of new songs, live tracks and good covers including "Saved" by Bob Dylan. The highlight of the CD is a live version of Consuming Fire that will blow you away! If you are a Third Day fan, this is a must have! If you ever get a chance to catch these guys life, don't miss it. They are amazing!

Just when you think you have heard enough rock bands doing praise and worship albums, along comes Third Day with "Offerings." Is this just another attempt to jump on the "rockin' praise and worship" band wagon? No. This is legitimately one of the best CD's of the year, and it would still stand out even if every single recording in Christian music was "rockin' praise and worship."

Probably the single greatest reason this is such a strong record is that it comes from the heart. The live cuts ("Your Love Oh Lord," "Agnus Dei/Worthy," "My Hope is in You," "Thief," "Consuming Fire," and "Love Song") accurately capture the energy of a concert while also exhibiting the reverence Third Day maintains for God. The studio cuts are fresh, worshipful, and solid in lyrical content. Two of the in-studio efforts are covers of other artists ("Saved" - Bob Dylan; "These Thousand Hills" - Jacob's Trouble). There is also a hidden track at the end of "Love Song" (just wait a minute or so). Of course, it almost goes without saying that the instrumentation is terrific, and Mac Powell's vocals punctuate the talents of a gifted band.

My only disappointment is that "Praise Song" (first album) was not covered in this project. Could it be that Rich Mullins played as a guest instrumentalist (hammered dulcimer) on the studio cut? I know the guys really looked up to Rich, but I'm probably stepping way out of bounds by even trying to guess why "Praise Song" is not on "Offerings."

This CD covers what Third Day fans have come to appreciate from this band. First, there is an unwavering respect and awe for God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Second, good Southern rock and roll still lives! For those of you who are old enough to remember these bands - Lynard Skynard, Mother's Finest, Molly Hatchett, and earlier 38 Special (probably some misspellings there!) - does not Third Day remind you just a little bit of them at times? ... even just a little?

I am so grateful for Third Day! As a long-time rock/blues fan (I love a variety of quality rock/blues from Grateful Dead, Santana, Lynyrd Skynard, and Rolling Stones to Stevie Ray Vaughn, Bob Dylan, Dire Straights, and basically anything played on most classic rock stations) and a fairly new Cristian (I accepted Christ as my saviour about two years ago) it has been frustrating for me to tune into Christian radio and not be moved by the music (even if the lyrics are Christ-centered) Then I happened to buy a used copy of Third Day's first album. FINALLY, what I have been longing for! -RELATABLE music where both the music and the lyrics make my heart sing for joy. This is the type of worship music that will help reach this generation that grew up on classic/ alternative rock. As for Offerings- it is a wonderful, amazing album. All the tracks are great but my favorite is the masterpiece, "King of Glory" - I am shocked it has not been mentioned more often as the best song on the album, but I suspect it will become one of the most requested Third Day songs and also one many churches will use in their worship service.

At the time this album was released there were tons of artists putting out the same sort of thing - praise and worship albums. As with any trend, certain offerings (no pun intended) rise to the top as the cream of the crop. Third Day's Offerings: A Worship Album is definitely one that rises to the top. I have found myself getting into the music and praising God on the highway on the way to work, in front of the computer, on the way to the grocery store and many other places. Isn't that what we're calling to do? We're called to pray without ceasing - singing praises to God is a way of prayer in mind as it's thanking Him for saving us. Listening to this cd will get your foot tapping and raise your spirits. It's worth every penny.

This album and Caedmon Call's latest, In the Company of Angels, harken my return to Christian music. I stopped listening to contemporary Christian music because I felt there was too much fluff and whines, but mostly because I just didn't enjoy the out-of-a-can pop sounds that you hear on Christian radio. But Offerings proved me wrong. Every single song on this album was, unmistakably, about worshipping God in spirit and in truth. The lyrics are unapologetically God-centered (as they should be), and the music is absolutely amazing. I am blown away by the talent of the entire band.

As a fan of rock and alternative music, finding Third Day was an incredible joy for me. Personally, I have not liked the direction that contemporary Christian music was headed--I felt like there were too many sell-outs who changed their message so that their music could be palatable to the mass public. But Third Day is a band that stands true to their love for God and has not wavered in their desire to glorify Him. Not only that, they are an incredibly talented band whose raw energy, awesome bassist (yeah!!), and great lead vocal could best any rock band out there. This is the Christian artist I've dreamed about. And Offerings is the worship album that presented the spirit of worship to me in a new way.

All in all, this is a must-have. It's an album that has spiritually enriched me. I hope it does the same for others out there.

In most praise and worship albums you find most the songs to be very good and yet not grabbing you. Third Day's new album does just the opposite of this. As Mac Powell (lead singer) says it plainly "I hope you came here expecting more then just a Third Day concert, cause we going to have church." This is exactly what this album offers. A church service every day of the week. You can hear the compasionate lyrics that come out of the soungs that Third Day sings. You feel God moving this is what is so enriching on this album. Fans wanted more from Third Day and Third Day offered more then I believe fans had ever expected. This cd is a deffinate must for those who are Third Day fans and for those who like Praise and Worship this is the cd to have. Whatever status any person is Third Day fan or not this is a album that spans the every day christian praise and worship that everyone expects. This is a must and Third Day gave fans what they wanted and so much more.