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    The Phantom Tollbooth 2002/Delirious?
    Delirious? — Touch cover

    Delirious?

    Touch

    (2002)

    Reviewed by Rick Chromey

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    Label Furious? RecordsThe Phantom Tollbooth2002
    alternative rockccmmodern rockworship

    And Delirious should know a little about touching the eternal. Their music has completely changed worship within the Church. Their songs have become standards in the arena of contemporary praise. They have a rich legacy of creating communion with the Creator. I could sing of my appreciation...well,...forever.

    Touch is simply another step in the evolution of Delirious?. To be honest, few, if any, of these tunes will make it to the lips and lists of worship leaders. That original purpose seems like a distant memory. That fact aside, this is a good album. Real good. The opening title track builds and boasts that when God "touches" his life he is "born again." It's a great place to start. Relationships begin in reconnecting with the Eternal. From here "love is a compass" that "fires" and "shows me heaven." Sometimes the singer feels like an "alien" and at other times like an "angel in disguise." It's heartfelt and honest. Of course, the second half of the disc meanders onto a path towards murky messages of love and life (is he singing about a girl like in "Take Me Away" or God?).

    Musically, there are a few highlights. The catchy crunchy guitar on "Fire" is infectious and the chorus memorable. "Show Me Heaven" and "Waiting for the Summer" are similar rockers. "Alien" is special. Nevertheless, most of the album comes off, in my mind, as a U2 clone, from the Bono-infused vocals to the bass lines and guitar licks. Of course, if you love U2 then this Delirious? disc will be a perfect pal. And there are enough un-U2 soundalikes to captivate anyone else. Nevertheless, it has its moments of mimicry. Is it Memorex or Bono? Is it "Touch" or "Grace?" Are we stuck in a moment we can't get out of here?

    Touch is a fairly decent Delirious? disc. There's a lot to enjoy. But it's not the Delirious? that I fell in love with. Nor does it represent the very best of what this band can do. When it comes to that Delirious? I still haven't found what I'm looking for.

    3 tocks

    Other coverage for this album

    The Phantom Tollbooth 2003Reviewed by Jessica HeikoopDelirious?' new album Touch is a collection of songs taken mostly from its latest UK release Audio Lessonover? Some are altered; a majority aren't--but overall, this collection gives an excellent taste of the band's expanding talent. This project begins with the title song, "Touch," a heavier version compared to the original (from one of the Deeper E.P.s). The original is bouncier and has more of…The Rebel Base 2002Reviewed by David MartinDon't you hate it when bands in the UK release an album and their record companies make American audiences wait a few months to get their hands on it? Well, Christian rock band Delirious? has taken that frustration to a new level. Let me recap for you. In the summer of 2001, Delirious? put out their latest studio album, Audio: Lessonover, which was met with lukewarm reviews, likely due to its…The Phantom Tollbooth 2002Reviewed by Greg AdamsGifted bands that can crank out consistently stellar music are rarer than an albino squirrel. Yeah, they're out there, but how often can you point one out to a friend and have them see it too? Delirious? is one of those few brilliant bands that has ever-so steadily opened the fuel valve to continually intensify their seemingly eternal flame. With Touch, Delirious? digs a little Deeper to add some…

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