I don't know if Hillsong started the modern worship concept, if it has simply evolved as an outgrowth of the Vineyard Church, but Hillsong has certainly been largely responsible for its growth in the last ten years. Led by Darlene Zschech ("Shout to the Lord"), Unified:Praise captures a praise service during a Hillsong conference in Sydney, Australia two years ago.
Zschech and company are joined by Delirious?, and over 20,000 conference attendees. Opening the disc is "Everyday," which achieves its purpose in fine fashion, getting the crowd involved with an upbeat (but not too upbeat -- this is a church conference, after all) number that everyone knows and enjoys.
From there it's hit and miss. Like most worship CDs, some of the tunes tend to run overlong with repeated choruses ("Free," "King of Majesty"), while other demonstrate that Delirious? still does their best '80's band imitations. "Rain Down" and "History Maker" evoke the scary image of Bono leading a worship conference, while "Did You Feel the Mountains Tremble" has a striking similarity to Simple Minds.
The music here is competently done, and the attendees seem to be oblivious of anything except for the sounds enveloping them, and hopefully, a direct connection to God. The bonus DVD is almost exactly the same soundtrack as the CD, and doesn't add a lot to the package, other than putting a picture to the audio. As always, the effect here is somewhat diminished in watching other people worship, rather than participating in it myself.
3 tocks
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 2005Reviewed by Kevin MathewsRecorded during the Hillsong Conference 2003, delirious? combined with the Hillsong worship team to record this live event where 20,000 worshippers packed the Sydney Superdome. Whilst I am certain that it was an awesome time of praise and worship to God on the night itself, none of it comes through this recording. In fact, despite the participation of delirious?, who are no slouches, this album…The Phantom Tollbooth 2005Reviewed by Burton WrayWhat happens when two of the biggest forces in modern praise and worship get together for one CD? Hillsongs, lead by Darlene Zschech, and best known for songs such as "Shout to the Lord" and "Power of Your Love," has been one of the landmark groups in modern praise and worship. Delirious? is another group that has been a huge factor in the popularity of this movement, releasing songs such as "I…
