Customer Reviews

Over The Grave

5 star:		(7)
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Sojourn Community Church in Louisville KY's Germantown neighborhood, has a refreshing approach to contemporary Christian music. Blessed with a congregation loaded with talented artists and musicians, Executive Producer, Mike Cosper and his staff took 11 Isaac Watts hymns, rich in liturgy, and updated their music and lyrics for contemporary listeners. This album is great in every way. The updated lyrics maintain their biblical focus, while the music is pleasantly on the contemporary side. This is a church project with about 35 people on this CD as either musicians or vocalists. These updated hymns are used regularly in Sojourn's church services along with many other original and traditional songs. It is just good music to listen to!

It should be noted that this CD, Over the Grave - The Hymns of Isaac Watts, Volume 1, was produced by Sojourn; writing, arranging, recording, mixing, and even the album cover and inserts were produced by the church staff and congregants. Universal's Bonded Records picked this project up after it was completed. The professional level of this production is outstanding. The good news is they are working on Volume 2.

I wasn't sure what to expect when I ordered this CD- I had never heard of Sojourn (I live in Vancouver, BC Canada...a long way from Kentucky!!). I popped it into the computer while I did some other work and as it began to play, ...I actually had to stop working because of the sense of worship and presence I felt from the words and music. I can't explain it, but I was speechless for a long time. I think I listened to the whole CD 2 or 3 times in a row late one summer night. I wept as I listened. This is beyond a doubt the most powerful, inspiring and worshipful CD I have ever heard. The rich textured music and deeply moving words sink deep into your soul.

Wherever you listen to this CD is holy ground.

Sojourn does it again with this album. Great lyrics (modified from Isaac Watts), and great music. Love it!

I listened to this CD about 10 times online before finally purchasing it and I am glad I did. I'm not much of a musician myself, so I'll leave that aspect to other, more qualified reviewers. But as a theologian-in-training, I must say I loved the rich, deep lyrics on this album. Sojourn went back to Isaac Watts for their inspiration and they couldn't have found a better source from which to draw. These are deep truths proclaimed in poetic lyrics. Don't miss their follow-up album of more Watts-inspired music: "The Water & the Blood."

Over the Grave is outstanding by any measure. Often, Christian music is judged by the message - which is indeed critical - but it usually means that boring, unoriginal and forgettable music is excused. Sojourn is totally different. There is not a weak song on this album. It is a throwback to a time where rock n roll knew how to let it bleed a little instead of wrapping everything up with autotune and airtight, sterile production. This album is rough around the edges where it needs to be rough (How Long, Reveal Your Love, Only Your Blood) and smooth where it needs to be smooth (Living Faith, Alas and Did My Savior Bleed, May Your Power Rest on Me).

If you like this album, also check out Sojourn's Jamie Barnes/Brooks Ritter dual album, The Mercy Seat/The War. A lot of the same quality of composition with powerful, uncompromising lyrics.

I attend Immanuel Baptist Church down the street but like to visit Sojourn when possible on Sunday evenings. When I come to Sojourn to worship, I get a strong sense that the congregation meets together to commune with the Lord personally and corporately. A big part of this is of course a very God-centered choice of music led by some of the most talented musicians in town. I made it to the release party for this album and picked up a couple copies right away. My wife and I love it and have shared it with friends, and I heartily recommend it to you. The lyrics are old and deep and the sound is superb. I second what another reviewer said - the production on this is top notch, and it's no wonder a label picked it up for distribution.

Over the Grave is an extremely strong worship album. It's challenging to today's modern worship. It's lyrically deep. It's musically strong as ever. Get this album.

I was blown away by it.