Published Friday 13th July 2007

Abundant Life Church, England - Send Me
	STYLE: Pop RATING OUR PRODUCT CODE: 23369-12763 LABEL: Independent 8204362 FORMAT: CD Album ITEMS: 2 EXTRAS: DVD RELEASE DATE: 2007-05-30 RRP: £12.99
Reviewed by Lins Honeyman The latest live worship release from Abundant Life is as slick a production as you would expect from the Bradford-based mega church. Containing 12 brand new songs composed wholly from writers on the church's books (namely Jonathan James, Matt Hooper, Mike Harvie, Lara Martin and Mark Stevens), this is a strong and vibrant collection that stands up well against the wealth of worship material out there today. The underpinning aim of this release is to stir people into willing service for God and this theme is featured most prominently in youth pastor Jonathan James' title track. Supported by a talented and tight band, this is high octane stuff and the pace of songs such as the crowd pleasing opener "Take All The Glory" and Mike Harvie's "You Sent Your Own" only let up momentarily for more contemplative numbers like the meditative "Messiah" before letting rip again with the impressivly heavy "To Know You". This release also includes a DVD disc which contains a no frills document of the performance of the self same recording featured on the audio disc. The second disc contains some worthy extras - a video diary of their South African tour and a stirring exposition by senior pastor Paul Scanlon. The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date. Interested in reviewing music? Find out more here.
Product Description
It was an incredible night as Abundant Life Church recorded their live album 'Send Me'. Thousands gathered to make history as they recorded what many said is their best album to date. From the first note of the opening song 'Take all the Glory', the place was filled with a deep sense of God's presence. 'Send Me', the title track, is all about a church who desires to go and make a difference in our generation. The prayer for this album is that a send me attitude will become the spirit of God's people everywhere.

Reader Comments

Posted by Oscar in Steeton, W. Yorks. @ 17:58 on Jun 1 2007

I haven't got the CD yet, but I was front-and-centre at the recording, and I helped to record the choir overdubs, so here are my thoughts on the album: "To Know You" (one of the best guitar riffs ever), "Fire" (wonderfully Radioheadesque), "Breathe in Me", "Messiah" (a brilliantly simple-but-extraordinarily-arranged song; the drums, in particular, are fantastic), "Send Me", and "Closer" (best song on the album) are the standouts. There are a few songs that I find not quite up to par ("Take All the Glory", "Name Above All Names", "Reach to You"), but otherwise, this is the best Abundant Life album since "God is Here", if not ever. I can't wait for the new RPM album... :-)

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Posted by adam in yorkshire @ 09:30 on May 23 2007

This is a really good album. The songs are a lot more developed than previous albums, the melodies really stand out and there are lots of songs that stick in your head.

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Posted by Jim in Derby @ 11:53 on May 21 2007

Am I just being cynical, or is Josh in Belfast guilty of cronyism by praising the new ALC album to the skies? I'll wait for the review - ratings of 6, 7 and 8 in the past show that their old stuff was good but not that good ..........

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Reply by Josh in ALC Belfast @ 12:17 on May 24 2007

Ha, Jim, have you ever heard the album? The only reason I bothered to come on to this site and bother to review it was because it is so much better than any of the other albums they have made, it is two steps ahead of all their previous work which was good but not as good as this. And to back up my other comment, I don't really like the new Hillsong United album much, I feel it is too much of a departure from their previous material, and I genuinely feel that this is a worthier purchase. So thanks for your cynicism Jim it wasn't really needed, and the amount of periods you put at the end of your comment was too much, three is enough.

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Reply by gary in bristol @ 02:09 on May 24 2007

well done jim, cracking way to have a positive outlook on life! so whens your album out then, jim...?

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Posted by Josh Lockhart in ALC Belfast @ 10:50 on May 5 2007

Absolutely Fantastic, every song is a classic! Album is very well presented and DVD quality is top notch! Best Christian album this year! Better than the new Hillsong Album!!!

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The opinions expressed in the Reader Comments are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms.

Abundant Life Church, England - Send Me

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