Generally critical of compilations, I cannot say that Integrity's iWorship is as great as it is advertised to be. While it does offer many wonderful worship songs, several of these are not the original versions we know and love (I Can Only Imagine, Heart of Worship, Lord I Lift Your Name On High, etc) and usually end up being weaker interpretations of strong compositions. This would be my biggest complaint however, as I must admit this 3-disc set is overall, pretty enjoyable. Many familiar songs that you might not even realize that you already knew (Friend of God) make this a nice package of songs.
The third cd in the package is labeled as being for kids but I found this quite enjoyable myself. Well known praise and worship performed by children themselves. You can't help but smile listening to the sweet innocent child singing "Shout to the Lord". Too cute.
Overall, I have to say that while I enjoyed the majority of this package (aside from the cover versions), I always have to question the agenda of compilations themselves. Being that there are so many of these worship albums out there, I can't help but feel that this is another cash-in on a popular genre. I wish this didn't affect my opinion, but it does. More of an advertising tool than a sincere worship experience, Integrity's iWorship will please many, but it falls short of being what it claims to be: a total worship experience.
3 tocks
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 2004Reviewed by Brian A. SmithIntegrity's Next is a three disc praise and worship compilation consisting of three parts: Now, Next, and Kids. Purportedly, the "Now" disc is comprised of songs currently popular in corporate worship settings and in radio play. "Famous One" by Sonicflood, and "Agnus Dei" (Michael W. Smith) certainly live up to that billing. "Here I Am To Worship" by Eoghan Heaslip also falls into that category.…The Phantom Tollbooth 2004Reviewed by Zach DelphDoes the world really need another collection of run-of-the-mill, "done heard that" worship music? Apparently Integrity thought it'd be a good idea to give the consumer another dose of worship music in its continuing iWorship series. What's offered here is just a confusing mess. The set starts out with the "Now" disc, offering already popular tracks by artists such as Michael W. Smith,…
