John Mark McMillan - Borderland

Published Sunday 23rd November 2014
John Mark McMillan - Borderland
John Mark McMillan - Borderland

STYLE: Rock
RATING 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9
OUR PRODUCT CODE: 150071-22448
LABEL: +180 859711786235
FORMAT: CD Album
ITEMS: 1
RELEASE DATE: 2014-04-24
RRP: £13.99

Reviewed by Lins Honeyman

Best known for his much-covered worship song "How He Loves", Carolina-based singer/songwriter John Mark McMillan's latest release has been independently released and fan-financed through Kickstarter and sees the worship leader continue to build upon a quality body of work that proves that he is much more than just a one hit wonder. Whilst proceedings kick off in somewhat downbeat fashion with the string-laden and strangely mumbled vocal delivery of "Holy Ghost", it's not long before McMillan comes into his own with an array of brooding tracks that have an expertly-executed retro '80s feel thanks to the kind of synth sounds and pounding electronic drums that wouldn't sound out of place on a classic INXS or Simple Minds album. McMillan's vocal performance is equally brooding and gives gravitas to lyrics that relate to God through the use of metaphorical imagery that leaves room for listeners to find their own interpretation - most notably in the likes of the cryptic "Monsters Talk" and the upbeat title track. Tracks such as the stirring "Heart Runs" - a meditation on Psalm 42 - and the Dove Award nominated single "Future/Past" show a more literal side to McMillan's worship of God whilst maintaining an intrigue and mystery that offers up something fresh to those unmotivated by run-of-the-mill worship music.

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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Product Description
Borderland speaks to the idea of the ‘place between places,’” says John Mark McMillan, “which is where I feel I’ve been living as a person, as an artist and as a believer for a couple of years.

“While few things describe the Christian experience more than the ‘place between places,’ it is also a concept everyone can relate to.

“We all walk lines between work and family, love and responsibility, art and commerce, passion and business and so on. Many of these songs are my commentary from a life between the crevices and on the verge.”

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