Glorious by Parachute Band

Reviewed by Tom Lennie

It seems no time since this New Zealand band were newcomers on the international Christian music scene - yet here they are already with their sixth recording! Brand new songs drawn from a wide breadth of NZ songwriters, 'Glorious' carries the three-piece team's now established combination of styles - strong, mid-paced worship anthems; melodic, adorational ballads and those interspersing funky urban grooves. The title track is something of a combination of categories one and three - rousing stuff. More characteristic, though, are those gentler numbers which emphasise the Father's encompassing, unfailing love and his paramount honour - these float along, washing over you with waves of warm, tender emotion, lifting your spirit high as they go. "King Of Love", complete with pipe organ intro, appears like a methodical, old-fashioned hymn; "Hold Me Near" is whisperingly soft; while the soulful "All That I Need" draws out the silky co-lead tones of guest American Israel Houghton. Though not breaking new ground, this is another rich, mature offering from a team who appear focused on an audience of One.