Review...(A Sea Change)

Passion - God Of This City
Six Steps Records / February 5, 2008

I'll be honest - I've been relatively disappointed in the last few Passion albums. Lately, I've found them just to seem a bit tired, as if I was really hearing the same record over and over.

In addition, I think Passion kinda' got away from actually providing resources that could be used in the local church. That's just opinion, of course, but it had been awhile since anything jumped off the speakers and said, "TODD, PLAY ME IN CHURCH!"

Well, guess what?

I'm here to tell you that Passion is back.

Passion's 2008 God Of This City is really, really good. If you'll allow me, I'd like to share my thoughts song by song. (This may be a long one, kids...)

Track 1 - Let God Arise (Chris Tomlin)
The record opens with what may be Tomlin's most rocking tune from the Made To Worship project. This opener is more evidence that leads me to believe that Tomlin should only release live records from here on out. Chris' studio records are good and they do great on radio, but I think this new record from Passion once again proves that this guy is a master on the live stage. The tune itself is a nice departure for "worship rock," employing more blues emphasis than we're used to hearing from the young adult worship crowd.

Track 2 - You Are God (Charlie Hall)
Charlie Hall's "You Are God" maintains track one's attempt at difference. The nice bounce of this shuffle leads me to believe that this might have even started out as a more country-tinged tune in its early stages. I'm not as nuts about the chorus section, and the drums get a little too progressive for my taste is the bridge.

Track 3 - God Of This City (Chris Tomlin)
The title track is amazing. Even at first listen, it didn't seem like a standard Tomlin/Giglio/Reeves offering. There's a real fresh approach to phrasing and melody that we haven't heard from Passion in awhile. Tomlin does a fantastic job leading this one and the band is absolutely stunning in their ability to fuel this epic prayer. Churches all over America will be singing this one in no time. It's that good.

Track 4 - O For A Thousand Tongues (David Crowder Band)
Crowder offers his remake of the old hymn. It's not much different than his Remedy version. I like the dual violin/electric riffing in between the sections and I think the new chorus is really nice. From a congregational perspective, I think it's a bit fast.

Track 5 - Hosanna (Christy Nockels)
Christy Nockels takes on Brooke Fraser's "Hosanna." When all is said and done, I like Brooke's version better, but I'm not sure it matters - the Passion remake is pretty much exactly the same. (I've heard folks express some frustration at Passion's recent infatuation with Hillsong United's catalog...but if doing a cover is what you want to do, "Hosanna" is a pretty good choice.)

Track 6 - Sing, Sing, Sing (Chris Tomlin)
Despite spending a bit too much time on the 1 chord, Tomlin and company go ahead and nail a fun crowd tune. The tune's relatively short, but says some good stuff and has a pretty great melody for one of those "dancing" songs.

Track 7 - Beautiful Jesus (Kristian Stanfill)
I've never found Stanfill's stuff to be that fantastic, but I do think this may be the most accessible of all the tunes on the record. I can see this working quite well in almost any musical setting.

Track 8 - Walk The World (Charlie Hall)
There are times when Charlie Hall is just a little too weird for his own good. I think the techno keys and drum loop get this tune off to a bad start and I don't think the song ever recovers. Didn't dig this one. I can't really follow the lyrical thread too well, but there is a slamming guitar lead, though.

Track 9 - We Shine (Fee)
Okay, I've made a turn on Fee. I've always liked Steve Fee's slower stuff, but never found much enjoyment in the rock stuff. I've heard "We Shine" lots of times, and I've never liked it. Until now...some might find this a stretch, but Fee's offering for this record is probably the first time we've heard a worship artist channel U2-circa Achtung Baby/Zooropa like this. Fun song with some pretty good musicianship.

Track 10 - God Of Our Yesterdays (Matt Redman)
As strange as this may seem, I think Redman brings a real maturity to this record. That's not to say that the rest is immature, but Redman's first offering on the record seems way more dependent on simplicity in lyric and melody and is noticeably free of much trend. "God Of Yesterdays" sounds like the type of song we'll be singing in ten years and never even think of it as old. Timeless song declaring His goodness to the generations...

Track 11 - The Glory Of It All (David Crowder Band)
I've always liked this slow burn of Crowder's. Again, there's not much different from the record version (unless you count thousands of people screaming.) Strangely, I think the screams definitely reinforce the dynamic build of this tune that is sometimes hard to get from the Remedy version.

Track 12 - Shine (Matt Redman)
This may be one of the worst Redman songs ever played on the radio...but it's fantastic here. It might be a tad slower than the radio version, and the presence of a congregation singing along gives these lyrics some real depth. I also love how simple the band takes the verse sections. Redman consistently proves to me that he's in a level all his own. (Drummers are going to love the kick on this song!)

Track 13 - Dancing Generation (Matt Redman)
Anybody who knows me knows I love this tune. I mean, this one might even be better that Todd Wright Band version. Maybe...

Track 14 - Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) (Chris Tomlin et. al)
I'm one of the few folks in America who doesn't normally like Tomlin's version of this song. I'm still not sure about the chorus, but as far as production and arrangement and expert delivery, the record closer is the stuff of legend. I think it shows a hidden gift that Passion team has - the ability to perfectly capture a moment of worship without cluttering it up with a lot of stuff. They don't always pull it off, but I don't think I've heard them it better than this.

If you're a lifelong Passion fan, you've probably already got this and love it. But if you haven't taken time to listen to it, you should. I think you'll find it to have a lot of useable stuff, lots of great moments for personal worship and some great rock and roll.