In recent years, the praise and worship musical genre has expanded its horizons a great deal. Where once the term referred exclusively to music that was full of smooth harmonized vocal ensembles and faceless, unobtrusive studio musicians, today's praise and worship includes every style from Alternative to - uh - Zschech - which brings us to the topic of this review.
Darlene Zschech has come to the forefront of praise and worship leadership around the world in recent years, primarily through her well-known song, "Shout To The Lord," which is featured on this album. Zschech is affiliated with Hillsongs Australia, a ministry of Hills Christian Life Centre in Sydney, Australia.
Listening to this album is a reminder of the paradigm shift that has occurred in Christian music, and particularly praise and worship, over the last ten years or so. It used to be that if a song wasn't "singable" (that is, if the words and music of a song were too complex for the typical person present in the worship service to pick up by the second refrain), then the song wasn't considered "suitable" for congregational worship. If you're still stuck in that mode, this album will probably be an eye-opener for you. Zschech and her band, while not a bunch of heavy metal maniacs, do produce some extremely catchy, hook-laden, (dare I say it?) pop music. Perhaps the disc would be better dubbed "praise and worship in pop's clothing." The title track starts off the album by boldly stating that:
I believe the promise About the visions and the dreams, That the Holy Spirit will be poured out, And His power will be seen... I believe that the presence of God is here. There's not one thing that can't be changed When the Spirit of God is near.
The result is a pleasant, upbeat mix of almost danceable praise and mellow pop worship ballads. Those who are seeking the most cutting edge, alternative, and on-the-edge praise and worship won't find it here, but the music of Hillsongs is certainly a step beyond for those who are used to "traditional" praise and worship in the vein of Hosanna/Integrity.
The album closes with "And That My Soul Knows Very Well," a reflection on the joy and certainty that living in the presence of the Lord brings:
When mountains fall, I'll stand By the power of Your hand. And in Your heart of hearts I'll dwell, And that my soul Knows very well.
Most fans of praise and worship will enjoy this album. Although there is nothing particularly groundbreaking about it, it's a refreshing time in the flow of the Spirit of God.
