Customer Reviews

Wow Hits 2004

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have been a fan of CCM since 1997, and a purchaser of a good deal of WOW CDs. Usually, I am impressed with the song selection and the overall mix of different styles and subgenres. It takes a great effort to get so many different styles and subgenres that encompass Christian music on one album. For the most part, I enjoy each song on its own merit. What was the disappointment for me in regards to the latest WOW offering was the sequencing of songs. On the first disc, there is too much uptempo poppy songs for me to take - and I am a definite adult contemporary fan. The second disc is much like the same, except it is all rock. I definitely dig the rock songs(rare for me), but again, it is one fast and hard song after another- different tempos are needed. I think that if the songs were more evenly distributed out along both discs, the album would be more enjoyable. As far as the songs themselves, a good 95% of them are good or great. Just better sequencing is needed.

Still, WoW is the best way to sample the genre as a whole, or to discover an artist that you may not even given thought to listen to before. This is especially true if you live in a place where the CCM market is almost nonexisent, such as where I live in north east PA.

Let me clarify one thing: my lower-than-usual rating of this collection is not due in any way to the individual songs reflected here. Each one is a brilliant piece of music, well crafted and with strong Christian messages in each. This has always been the case with the WOW series. Looking at my reviews of the other WOW anthologies, however, their attraction has always been the opportunity to sample not just mainstream, "safe" pop tunes which usually dominate the charts, but also some of the heavier tunes from the likes of Audio Adrenaline and others in their heavier, Christian Rock genre. Past collections have been a wild, enjoyable - and at times eclectic - mix of songs covering a much broader range of contemporary Christian music than in the past.



No longer, unfortunately, if WOW 2004 is an indication. With two or three small exceptions, all 30 tracks would easily fall into the Pop category. Most of the songs that might be considered "heavy" could easily also be called "disco" or "dance" music, rather than what could be labeled Normanesque rock 'n roll. Maybe I've been spoiled by the last three releases, but I fear the old conservatism is creeping back in. Wow's newest compiler(s) obviously do not have as much of a rock-n-roll bent as the late (and missed) Mr. Cunningham. Perhaps what is needed is to build a team of compilers for the next anthology, with a wider musical bent, so that WOW 2005 will once again give us the broad range of music we've come to know and appreciate -- as well as share/witness with the younger generation who invariably like their music, and their praise, a little louder.

Many of the songs are close to the hip-hop genre. Just a little too much funk for my taste. Lyrics are nice and geared more to the personal experience of worship than the out and out praise. Teens can identify with this album very well.

This is a great CD. I just got it and I'm glad I did! I'm almost 13, and I belive this is a great CD for anyone. I like the layout of the paper insert. It shows a picture of the CD the song is from, then under that the song's title, the artist, and a short intro to the song, as well as a website of the artist.
I can't tell you all my favorites, I love almost all of them! I'll give you the titles.

He Reigns*, All About Love, Great Light of the World, You Found Me*, Everything to Me, Legacy*, You're my God, Sing Alleluia, You are a Child of Mine*, The Other Side of the Radio*, My Heart Goes Out*, Nothing Compares, You Get Me*, Stuck.
(* I like these the most)

WOW Hits 2004 is great!

Wait a minute...Wow Hits 2004, compiled in 2003? Is somebody getting a little presumptuous? The compilers have played it safe here, choosing only established mainstream artists to feature in this collection.

In past releases, Wow proved to be an excellent source where we could get a taste of new, up-and-coming or just plain too-quirky-for-radio artists. Sure, it made for some inconsistency in the overall sound, but it gave us a better idea of the diversity of Christian music out there. It gave the little guy a chance to get noticed and appreciated.

This is an outstanding collection of songs and artists, make no mistake about that. It just doesn't cover the same territory that past Wows have. This will be of great appeal to those who embrace the mainstream. Those of us who like to dabble outside that realm will be left slightly wanting.

Larry Hehn, author of Get the Prize: Nine Keys for a Life of Victory

This is a great CD, featuring 33 songs, all with a great Christian meaning. Though this 2-disc CD may be a Pop cd, it still rocks. My special favorites on this one are:

Spoken For, by Mercyme (this one I especially like, it's best!!)
One Great Light Of The World, by Bebo Norman (cool song)
Everything To Me, by Avalon (tied for best with Spoken For)
You Are A Child Of Mine, by Mark Schultz (great meaning)
You Get Me, by Zoegirl (great song about Him)
The Way I Feel, by 12 Stones (GREAT SONG!!!!!)
All My People, by Lil' Irocc Williams (AWESOME RAP ON THIS!!!!)

hope this helped

from me

This was an amazing compilation. Being a teen, I love the fast, contemporary songs that I have fallen in love with on the radio. This CD definately keeps me awake, and has proved to my athiest friends that Christians are definately not boring, like stereotypes show.

We bought this CD and listen to it all the time, I have all of the WOW CD's and this one is just as great as the rest, I am 31 years old, and it appeals to me just as it would someone younger. You will not regret buying this one!

Jump5`s "Why Do I Do" really had a big influince on me.It has to be my favorite song on the cd.Jump5 is a great contemporary group that sends out a positive message.You may also want to check out some of their other songs:Spinnin Around,All I Can Do,Wonderful,or God Bless The U.S.A.

I have all of these from when they started in 1996. I so enjoy listening to them.