Album Preview – Phil Wickham “Cielo”

Today, I had the opportunity to preview a song from Phil Wickham’s upcoming album, “Heaven and Earth” (Releasing on November 17^th). The song is titled “Cielo”, and tells the story of a person entering the gates of Heaven, and his response to what he is seeing.  I was not expecting to get misty eyed when first hearing the song, but that’s exactly what happened!  The song is played in a lower key, which seems kind of different, because when you think of songs about Heaven, your mind tends to wonder to songs like “I can only imagine”…which is made more dynamic by the higher key it is played in.

But the dynamics of this song is not affected by the lower key, instead, I feel like it makes the song more personal and intimate.  This song resonates in me the fact that even in Heaven, our desire to worship and be with God will still burn passionately, if not more than it does now.

I’m excited to hear the whole album, and as soon as I do, I’ll write a quick review about it.  Until then, here are the words to this amazing song…I know you don’t have the track to listen to just yet..but even still, the words of this song-story are amazing!  I can so imagine everyone singing this song in Church as well as Heaven….

 

Cielo (Sky/Heaven)

 

I’m walking through the bright white gates,

Breathing in and out Your grace.

All around me melodies rise,

Echoing the joy inside.

So I start to sing…

 

But I can’t sing loud enough,

I can’t sing loud enough,

When I’m singing for You, my God.

 

With a thunder roll and brilliant light,

Your glory bursts and the Heavens shine.

Saints and Angels stand in awe,

Captured by the beauty of it all.

So I fall to my knees…

 

But I can’t bow low enough,

I can’t bow low enough,

At the vision of You, my God.

 

I can’t hold it all inside,

I’m reaching for the One who brought me out of death and into life….

 

But I can’t lift my hands high enough,

I can’t lift my hands high enough,

When I’m reaching for you my God.

Kris Allen – God Of This City

Okay, so here’s he deal.  I don’t know much about his guy except that he won American Idol and sang some pretty cool songs.  But I did run across this today and thought some of you might be surprised.  I know I was.

You might recognize the song “God Of This City”, as Chris Tomlin has made it very popular.  It was originally written by a band called, “Bluetree.”  The song is awesome and I think Kris does a good job of singing it here.

Album Review: Seventh Day Slumber “Take Everything”

Seventh Day Slumber  “Take Everything”

Worship album oh worship album, how much longer will you be tolerated?

I’ve listened to Seventh Day Slumbers new release four times now, and while I enjoy it very much, I wonder how well it will be received by others. Worship albums (amongst a few other things) have become an epidemic in Christian Music, and while the sincerity is evident in most of these albums the real problem resides in originality. One of the most satisfying experiences of listening to a new Chris Tomlin or David Crowder Band Album is the fact that it’s new and original to the artist!

While “Take Everything” is lyrically awesome and musically comparable to most pop and rock bands, most of the songs themselves have already been played over and over on radio; thus making the album catchy, but not memorable. Another disappointment was going into a Seventh Day Slumber album I was hoping to rock out a little, and while there are songs such as “How Great Is Our God,” and “Mighty To Save,” that peaked my ear, most of the songs on the album were much like the original versions with louder guitars.

Now there are some bright spots with this album. The two original songs, “Take Everything,” and “Carry Me” both resonate the themes of surrender and release, and are sure to be heard on radio and in churches. The two standout songs on the album are “Surrender” and “From The Inside Out.” Both songs capture the bands true sound, and feature the awesome growl of lead singer Joseph Rojas that we all know and love. I should also mention that this collection of songs performed live would absolutely translate different than what you get on the album.

So if you’re into worship songs old and new, you’ll love this album. But if you’re kind of getting annoyed with worship albums that sound the same, then you might consider just downloading your favorite songs of this album from ITunes.

Track Listing:

1. How Great Is Our God
2. Surrender
3. Lead Me To The Cross
4. Everlasting God
5. Mighty To Save
6. From The Inside Out
7. I Can Only Imagine
8. Take Everything
9. Carry Me
10. Famous One
11. Nothing But The Blood
12. Oceans From The Rain

Delirious, The End Of An Era…

I still remember being at the Family Christian Store and picking up an album called “Glo,” by this band named Delirious.  I had heard of them in passing from one of my friends, so I decided to buy the album and give it a try.  I quickly was taken into a world that I can only describe as intoxicating.  The music itself was upbeat and catchy.  But the lyrics took me in so fast that I remember getting home and immediately opening the cd jacket to read them on paper.  While “Glo” was not their most popular album, make no mistake, Delirious has brought the praise and worship we so enjoy today.  Not only did they bring it, they created it!  You could say, that they were (and are) the pioneers for modern day praise and worship.

Delirious Says Farewell

While creating many hits they also brought us songs that we might not have known they brought us because other, more popular artists, sang the songs themselves.  And it’s these songs that we sing most every Sunday in church, as well as many other songs they have written.  Their hits include, “Deeper,” “History Maker,” “Did You Feel The Mountains Tremble,” “I Could Sing Of Your Love Forever,” “Obsession,” “Shout To The North,” “The Happy Song,” “Jesus Blood,” “Every Little Thing,” “Free,” “Majesty,” “Rain Down,” “My Glorious,” “Trading My Sorrows,” and “Open The Eyes Of My Heart.”

So after 15 years together and 14 albums, Delirious has decided to take a break from the music scene.  To call them a great band is an understatement.  These guys were at the top of their game their whole career, and they never slowed down.  They reached out to crowds that filled football stadiums and dirt poor villages throughout Africa.  Their music has continually been original and and polished while their lyrics held the depths to bring you to the very throne of God.  Delirious has changed the landscape of worship music and given many young artist hope that longevity in music is truly possible.

I leave you with a few lyrics from my favorite Delirious song called, “Every Little Thing.”

“There’s no-one else to blame
I live my life between the fire and the flame
I’ve built my house where the ocean meets the land
It’s time to live again, pull my dreams out of the sand
Let your world be full of color
I will carry you, if you carry me“

Thank you guys!

“SingAlong” With Phil Wickham’s New Album

Phil Wickham "SingAlong"

Maybe you have heard of this guy Phil Wickham or maybe you haven’t; but no matter what the answer is, you gotta love his music! I’m sure many of you have heard his smash hit, “Divine Romance”, but if this is all you have heard, then you’re missing out on a huge blessing.

I had the chance to listen to Phil when he was in Abilene at the KGNZ “First To Sign” contest (I think that’s what it was called :o) and even with just his guitar and vocals, he rocked the house!

His second album, “Cannons” is just as amazing as his first and has so much depth to it. Go out and add it to your music collection if you have not already.

And now we are on to his newest album, “Singalong”. A live recording that captures the true essence of his live show. You’ll be overtaken by his amazing vocals and moving songs. The whole album is a mixture of new and old songs, as well as a few hymns that fit perfectly with the worship.

If that wasn’t enough, this album is FREE! Thats’ right, I said FREE! Phil has decided to give this amazing look into his ministry away for free on his website; all you have to do is sign up for his newsletter and the complete album is yours. We’re talking all his hits, “Divine Romance, True Love, After Your Heart, How Long Must I Wait,” their all here and so much more. So what are you waiting for, click the image above and go download this amazing treasure!