Delirious?

Item: Mission Bell
Author: Joe Montague

Mission Bell

(2005)

Reviewed by Joe Montague

Discogs Apple Music TIDAL Amazon Music Spotify

Label Sparrow RecordsThe Phantom Tollbooth2005

modern rock worship

Mission Bell from Delirious? may be their best album yet. It opens with a great worship track "Stronger" recorded in a fashion that will appeal to fans of Coldplay. The song is really Martin Smith's testimony as he was nearly killed in an automobile accident in 1993. "I love you from the depths of my heart / And nothing here will tear us apart,"

Deep guitar grooves drive the second track the thundering rock anthem "Now Is The Time." My favorite tune however is "Solid Rock" a modernization of a very old hymn. The track begins with very David Bowiesque type vocals and moody instrumentals. This is a beautifully textured song with layer upon layer of quality guitar riffs, and Martin's brother Stew laying down some great drumbeats. Toby Mac makes a guest appearance rapping out the words to this reborn hymn.

"All This Time" is a blend of mysterious ethereal backup vocals and instrumentals. Vocally it begins with Martin capturing the same kind of moodiness you find in the vocals of Brad Roberts of the Crash Test Dummies. There is a line in the lyrics that is probably the best line written in any song this year, "My life is a show on God's TV". Stew Smith says, "What is important is who we are and who we are in God's eyes. That line really does talk about what we are actually doing with our lives." The song has some great but not overpowering guitar special effects.

"Miracle Maker" reverts back to a contemplative worship prayer of adoration. One of the primary initiatives for Delirious? is to write songs for the church to sing and "Miracle Maker" is one of those songs. It is a song of preparation, preparing your heart for communion or perhaps a song of invitation. Once this song starts circulating in churches it will be a mainstay in church services for years to come.

The band members hope that those listening to this album will examine their vocational calling. "Here I Am Send Me" arrives straight out of the Book of Isaiah. The song has its origins in Isaiah's vision and God's commissioning of him to be His prophet to the people of Israel.

From Mission Bell Delirious? debuted different singles in the UK and United States. The talking heads from their American management team suggested "Fires Burning" for this side of the Atlantic while the band went with its instincts for their homeland and released "Paint the Town Red." Personally I like the band's choice better and think it would have fared better State side. This is a rocking song that will rattle your bones. You listen to the CD and tell me which song you think will ultimately win the hearts of fans throughout the United States. "Paint the Town Red" also has good mainstream potential but then the Christian labels and marketing people in North America still haven't figured out how to cross that bridge successfully.

The hard hitting lyrics of "Our God Reigns" deal with issues such as abortion, AIDS and materialism. This is an in your face song that thrusts Christian values onto the world stage. It is not backed by heavy rock beats but instead has gentle instrumentals so the words can be heard clearly.

The only drawback to Mission Bell is four of the songs are so lengthy that one has to wonder if they will ever find their way to radio rotation. "All This Time" weighs in at 5:26, Miracle Maker at 5:44, the lengthy "Take Off My Shoes" is 6:28 and you can delight in "Our God Reigns" for 5:41. If you love wonderful music put to great lyrics forget about whether you hear these songs on the radio and just go out and buy the CD.

5 tocks