CD Review of "Worship God Live"

Recently I cashed in on Bob Kauflin’s offer to give away his church’s new worship CD, “Worship God Live” for free to anyone who would write a review of it on his or her blog. So, here it is!

Let me start off by saying that I have the utmost respect for Bob Kauflin as a worship pastor, writer, and thinker about worship in music as it is expressed in our corporate gatherings of worship. I think in recent years mainly through his blog, Bob has become somewhat of a mentor for many worship leaders all throughout the world who desperately are trying to figure out how to lead their people effectively into an appropriate expression of worship in music to our great God.

Bob and his team need to be commended for their attempt to bring a fresh theological substance to worship music that is wrapped in more of a pop/rock genre. There is a great void of this type of music in our current evangelical ecclesiastical scene. I have long lamented this fact and longed to find and perhaps compose music that would have a deeply historical theological substance but also bring with it a fresh musical expression. I think they have done a great job of celebrating the great truths of the Gospel on this record. What better thing is there to sing about?

I got the sense from this record that there was a real desire to express some type spontaneity that would reflect what one would encounter in an actual service at Covenant Life Church. I think this was achieved and gives this CD a more informal feel to it that is refreshing for the listener. It’s almost as if you can place yourself there as a physically present worshipper at their church.

In terms of critique, this is very challenging pursuit since by it’s nature music is subjective. It’s kind of like trying to describe beauty. It’s better to point to what it is rather than try and describe it. Which is more powerful, to try and describe an amazing sunset, or take the person to it and say, “Look at that!” As a songwriter I often times find myself frustrated when I turn in a song to my publisher and it is rejected based on their subjective feelings. There is always the attempt to give concrete things to focus on, but in the end it does not satisfy. There are no formulas for songwriting, or for what makes a great song. There are general tenancies and themes, but at the end of the day all the rules can be broken at times and you are better off just pointing to what is a great song is and say, “Shoot for that. If you miss just keep writing.”

My following critique will be just that, mine. It’s my opinion and an expression of my preferences, thus I offer them humbly not as objective truth but purely as one man’s expression of his subjective opinions.

I think the one thing that stood out to me first was the challenge of expressing these great theological truths in language that poetically fits beautifully and also fits a melody that is equally beautiful and easy to sing. Make no mistake; this is probably the most challenging type of songwriting that I have ever come across. Why is that? Simply because of what I just stated. You have to express deep theology in language that is poetically beautiful, melodically compelling and easy to sing by your average church-goer, and be a song that will please everyone from the kids to the elderly. This is no small task! Their attempt needs to be greatly commended, but in the end I don’t find myself very convinced or coming away from these songs having a huge desire to use them in the church I lead in. Perhaps the exception on the record would be the track, “Jesus, Thank You”. I found that my ears were drawn to that song in a unique way from all the others on the record.

Often times while listening, I felt that Bible truth was expressed in language lyrically and melodically that just didn’t really fit. Great Bible truth to be sure, but clothed in weak melodies and poetry. I say this in comparison to many worship songs out there today that I would consider to be stronger. Again, just my opinion, I have no ill will towards Bob and Covenant Life Church. These are just my honest feelings. I probably feel the need to express these disclaimers since I know that my words could be construed as being mean-spirited. That is definitely not my intent. And as a songwriter I also personally know the pain of critique, which can sometimes leave you feeling attacked and worthless.

My other main critique would be that it predominately sounds too (words will fail here) "chipper", or "sing-songy". I think it might be the male and female unison vocals that to me give it more of a “boomer” sound. Reminded me of my past years going to Willow Creek church conferences when they would have a big vocal team up front singing, with “big” vocals. I think this type of thing may translate better live, but through the recorded medium of a CD it stylistically seems a bit weak. I’m sure this is an opinion that simply stems from a generational tendency and nothing more. I would be curious to know the average age of those who composed all of these songs. I could be wrong, but I would be willing to bet it would be over 40. Newer or younger does not equate to better, I am not saying that at all. I’m just saying that it sounds like a record that has predominately been composed and led by those in the 35-50 age range. Again, this does not make it bad, it just represents a general leaning in style that some will find attractive and others not.

The highlights of this CD for me would probably be the songs, “Jesus, Thank You”, “Grace Unmeasured” and “Surrender All”.

In the end, I greatly appreciate this CD from a theological perspective and for their attempt to tackle the most challenging form of songwriting that there is, but if I heard it playing a Christian bookstore I doubt I would be compelled to buy it.