Reviewed by Tony Cummings

It's heartening to note that more and more contemporary artists are recognising that unless they are worshippers of God all their talent and music is as so much empty noise. This truth has clearly been known to Rez's beloved and profoundly gifted frontman for these songs, written over 20 years for personal devotion and congregational worship with Jesus People USA, shine with a heart in love with the healer of hearts and the saver of souls. This is a long way from the formulaic muzak that parts of the charismatic church now tragically accept as praise and worship. Neither is it some artificially conceived Metal praise album full of full throttle axe solos and where power chords are the only power the album's performers seem to recognise. This is a wistful, tender hearted album, with much of the playing acoustic. Even much of the blues edge of Glenn's magnificent voice is mellowed to suit the mood of meditative worship. What Rez's mosh head followers will make of an exquisite track like "In The Ocean Of His Love" where cellos weave in and out of the exquisite melody of "Surender" and "Behold The Lamb Of God" or where Glenn is joined by a whole choir of worshippers, I know not. I can but hope that rather than wrangling about this or that style of music, more Christians will catch the heart of Christ, and when listening to praise and worship albums that means catching the heart of the worshipper singing his songs onto tape. I suppose the test of any worship album for the reviewer is does it make him want to put down his pen, step back from his 'nice guitar solo on this track' book of clichés and bring all his thoughts to the throne room of the Lord of all. This does.

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.

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