Reviewed by Simon Eden

If you have always dreamed of playing lead guitar, but only ever made it to playing air guitar, then this is the album for you, particularly if you have a bent for modern worship music. Every track has squealing lead guitar solos of technical complexity that will take your air guitar practice to world championship level. Try the intro for "So Good" to get you going; dressing like 1970s rockers Van Halen may help stylistically. Though Lincoln's previous worship albums have been a little more formulaic, this set, with its emphasis turned fully on guitar pyrotechnics, takes congregational worship material to a new level. Not that every song on 'Real Life' is a worship number, track four talks of the peculiarity of having your own kids yet not feeling quite ready for that awesome responsibility; "playing house" when in fact this is 'Real Life'. The outstanding worship track of the album is "More Than Amazing" which is a classic outpouring of heart-felt acclamation as we start "forgetting all our sins, remembering his promises". Award winning worship artist Kari Jobe co-wrote and provides the backing vocals on "Whom Shall I Fear" while the worship builds into thanksgiving with the refrain "I was made to be loved by you". On balance, the mix of worship material and head-to-the-sky guitar solos works well. God is amazing but so is Lincoln's guitar work.

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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Join worship leader Lincoln Brewster as he brings new songs written about life, God, and family. Real Life is a new album of songs written or co-written by Lincoln Brewster.

Lincoln Brewster is a Dove Award nominated worship leader, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter. He currently serves as Worship Arts Pastor at Bayside Church in California.