Parachute Band “Love Without Measure” – CD Review
Love Without Measure is the third album release since the new iteration of Parachute Band formed in 2006. The New Zealand-based worship band has somewhat of a heritage of writing songs with meaningful lyrics, combined with excellent production and musicianship. This newest album certainly meets the high standard that the group has set for itself.
This album mixes a wide range of modern rock songs and straightforward ballads, all infused with synthesized electronic textures. Each track on the album is truly unique from the others, showing this band’s diversity of style.
Almost all of the songs, with their solid and expressive lyrics, have a consistent theme of worship directly to the Lord. The album opens with the catchy and upbeat “Gave It All,” probably the most pop-influenced track of them all. ”Saviour Of The Broken Heart” shines as an anthem of hope for the brokenhearted, and of inspiration to reach the lost. One of the ballads, “It’s You,” features Martin Smith of Delirious?. The album finishes with a purely instrumental track, “Soar,” which almost serves as a perfect soundtrack for reflecting upon the lyrics and the worshipful experience of the previous 11 tracks.
Love Without Measure continues The Parachute Band’s tradition of relevant, accessible, and well-produced songs, many of which could be equally suited for both Christian radio and for church worship services.
-Review by Michael Fash
Download the free chord chart of “You Remain”.
Video Interview w/ Brian Doerksen (with GIVEAWAY!)
Mandy Thompson recently had a chance to interview Brian Doerksen for the All About Worship Podcast. Here is the video version. Go here for the audio/podcast version of it, along with show notes.
After watching the interview, answer the last question that Mandy asks Brian for yourself and leave it as a comment on this post…for your chance to win Brian’s Level Ground CD-Rom Digital Songbook. Deadline: Thursday, Feb 24th @ 2pm CST. (US residents only. Must be at least 18 years old.) Winner will be randomly chosen.
Episode 61: Interview with Brian Doerksen
On This Episode, we:
-share a feature that our sponsor, WorshipPlanning.com, offers that allows you to see the most used songs at your church.
-feature an interview with Brian Doerksen – worship pastor and Integrity Music artist.
-have a visit with Ben’s assistant, Marie King, about her role.
-talk about the webinar on songwriting with Dave Fitzgerald coming up on Feb. 22nd at 8pm CST. Visit thesongwriterscafe.com for details and to register.
-share about the All About Worship Retreat coming up May 19-21 with Brenton Brown, Pocket Full of Rocks, Sarah Reeves, Dave Fitzgerald, and others. Visit worshipretreat.org for the details.
-feature a song by Brian Doerksen – “Enter The Rest of God”.
A special thanks to Brian for being our featured guest and Integrity Music for allowing us feature one of his songs. Also, a special thanks to our sponsor, WorshipPlanning.com.
QUICK LINKS
- Hosts: Wisdom Moon & Ben Abu Saada — check out their blogs
Connect with us:
- Comment Line: 913.735.4229
Stream or download this episode:
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Joel Auge – Invisible Things CD Review
From the very beginning Joel Auge’s Invisible Things is novel, without treading into garish or contrived. It strikes a unique blend of artistry and approachability. Auge’s vocals evoke bits of Band of Horses, Sufjan Stevens and–to my particular liking–Bon Iver (primarily in the song “You and Your Things”, which incidentally, I could listen to on repeat for approximately 5 years before I began to tire of it).
“Be Lifted”, the opening track, is lyrically quite simple, but delivers foundational theology (“You came to rescue and redeem / We rejoice because You came to save our lives / Be lifted”), and in my opinion is a perfect congregational song to begin a worship service.
The song entitled “OK” could well have been called “Brilliant”. It has a whimsical tenor to it that isn’t often explored in the worship genre (making use of harps, bells, and what sounds like drum sticks on a counter-top!). Auge displays his vocal prowess on this track by keeping predominantly in falsetto.
“Show Your Love”. This one is interesting to me. It sounds like Jason Mraz and Ringo Starr ran full-speed at one another and this song was the result. Perfect pop melody with what I believe to be a tuba playing in the background. But again, pulling no theological punches.
And I think Thom Yorke, Philip Selway and Jonny Greenwood snuck in a track by the name of “Reach Out”. I’m not complaining though. I’d be thrilled to see more of that in Joel’s future releases.
Congregational Songs: “”Be Lifted”, You Found Me”, “Here To Love” & “Save Me”.
Check out the album on iTunes.
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