Passion music has changed the way we sing in our churches today. Their mark is unmistakable if we look at what we have been singing over the past 10 years. I think they will continue to further this trend with this newest release, "God of this City" (iTunes).
It follows the familiar form with selected songs from the usual suspects, Chris Tomlin, Charlie Hall, David Crowder, Matt Redman and Christy Nockels. This record also adds a song from newcomers, Fee and Kristian Standfill.
I'll review by artist:
Chris Tomlin's songs - Chris, as usual, has the songs with the most accessible melodies for congregational singing. His song, "God of this City" will be the big hit of this record. I predict it will be the missional anthem for all "missional" (when did the church need to start adding this label? I digress...) churches out there for the next few years. We'll do it at our church. It's a great song with an emphasis that our people need to sing. His other songs are more "party" songs with very energetic music, but are low on content. I also grow weary of the "four on the floor" (a certain type of drum groove where the drummer plays the kick pedal on all four quarter notes) drum groove that seems to be the mark of all modern worship songs. I'll like to see Chris push his creativity.
Charlie Hall's songs - Charlie has always gotten an A in creativity and a D in accessibility for corporate singing. There certainly are some exceptions to this, but overall that is my feeling about his stuff. His band is really cool and his passion comes through with every note that he sings, but I think his songs do better as presentational music (for the most part) and not for singing as a church.
David Crowder songs - His version of "O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing" with an new chorus is great and we do it already here at DSC. His other song on the record is very solid theologically as it emphasizes God's glory in all his works.
Matt Redman's songs - His song "God of our Yesterdays" is the strongest for him on this record. Theologically strong and touching the honest emotion faith in the midst of hurt and brokenness this type of song needs to be sung more in our churches these days. The melody is a bit more challenging than I would prefer, but it's a solid song. The other two songs I am not too crazy about, one being another "party" song that is fun, but weak on content.
Christy Nockels' song - Her song "Hosanna" has an amazingly catchy chorus that I was immediately drawn to. You'll want to check this song out for sure.
I would love to see Passion move more away from the "party" songs and more towards songs that are filled with great theology that makes us want to party in response. Not that having huge rockin' music is bad at all, but I would like to see these types of songs have more serious theology interwoven into them.
All in all this is a very solid record and I would recommend it to all church leaders in singing. After listening to the record a few times through these are the songs that I would use as a worship pastor:
1. God of this City
2. O For A Thousand Tongues to Sing
3. Hosanna
7 comments:
So you don't like the party songs eh? There was a time when you liked bananas. There once was a time when you were down with G.O.D. Perhaps there is a place for "party" music within the Body. Besides...what's wrong with quarter notes on the kick? War SBG.
You need to check out Brooke Fraser doing Hosanna. She wrote the song, and I think I like her version better.
you need to check out bluetree the band that wrote the song god of this city that tomlin sings on the album. There version is alot rockier way better. There from Belfast northern Ireland from the same church as worship leader robin mark, you know the song days of Elijah and the album revival in Belfast.... That guy. There just statlrting out there first album was released this year I think. Awesome band.
Hi Z,
I downloaded "God of This City" on your recommendation, and you're right; it's a nice song. However, I don't "get" the chorus:
"greater things have yet to come
and greater things are still to be done in this city"
Can you explain the Biblical support for these lines? What might the "greater things" be? Really, I'm kind of clueless. Thanks!
Michael,
My take is that this a song (likely inspired by Tim Keller stuff) that is expressing a hope to see God's kingdom come (his spiritual reign) through the church and to renew culture for the glory of God. Nothing explicitly Biblical about this, but implicit would be the Great Commission, Acts 1:8, etc. Make sense?
I found your blog entry by searching on the theology of the chorus of this song. I'm also working out a Biblical perspective for this, mainly because I think the verses are great and I'd like to sing the chorus in a right frame of mind.
I thought about 2 Timothy 3. This chapter may help articulate the tension I experience in the chorus. It speaks of "evil men and imposters going from bad to worse" yet encourages Timothy in that the "man of God may be thorougly equipped for every good work." (these snippets really don't provide a good picture, I recommend looking at the full chapter)
So I think I can sing this song thinking about the renewing of minds, growth through salvation, and sanctification of the Church moving forward in the power of the Holy Spirit. And I expect the visible chasm between the Church and this world to grow wider at the same time...
yeaps..i like Brooke Fraser's Hosanna version better :)
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