Reviewed by Tom Lennie

Just within the past year or so, the David Crowder Band has become a significant force on the US worship scene, especially with the giddy rise in record sales of their third recording 'Illuminate'. The disc also received Best Worship Project from America's Worship Leader Magazine. So why the fuss? Well, like their previous releases, this is one hot-bed of intense, creative worship, which includes a steady bombardment of gutsy praise anthems, packed with energy and delivered with panache. “O Praise Him” and “Open Skies” are especially conducive to worship - sting-man Jerry MacPherson, the legendary Charlie Peacock and UK's own Chris Eaton being among those “additional musicians” credited. Meanwhile "No One Like You" erupts into a further chorus of abandoned praise. In gentler form, Crowder's thoughtful version of “All Creatures (Of Our God And King)” is strikingly beautiful, while a string of more stripped-down beauties reveal how candid, intimate and vulnerable this worshipper can get. Heart-rending stuff. 'Illuminate' moves convincingly from rocking “praise” to tender “worship” with a rare combination of passion and sensitivity.

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