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THE BELONGING CO.
All The Earth
song on the album however is “Peace Be collection of Christmas songs arranged in
Still” which is skillfully delivered by Grammy- various musical styles of the last 100 years.
Nominated singer, Lauren Daigle. This song is
beautifully crafted and Is a glorious exploration At first listen you quickly realize that this is not
of Jesus’ calming of the storm in Matthew 8 your typical Christmas collection but rather a
and how He still calms the storms in our lives very unique, creative album that puts the fun
today. back into the season. The album begins with
The Belonging Co. is the worship collective
“Good King Wenceslas,” an accurate portrayal
from The Belonging Church which is a relatively There are some standout moments on this of early-twentieth century ragtime, complete
new church plant located in Nashville lead debut album like the ones mentioned above with warbling piano, tinny vocals and crackly
by Pastors Henry and Alex Seeley. They are and then there are songs that are too similar in record sounds. “O Come All Ye Faithful” follows
meeting the Spiritual needs of a city filled with arrangement and instrumentation that tend to and is incredibly fun 40’s big band arrangement
musicians who would not normally make a run together. The mixing is above average for a that will awaken your holiday spirit as you clap
Sunday AM service because of late night gigs live worship album and while the presentation and sing along.
by doing their services on Sunday nights and seemed honest and vertical, lyrically it tended Tuesdays. With such a musical community, to leave me a bit flat in some spots as I felt like “The First Christmas” is an infectious 50’s style
The Belonging’s first album, All The Earth is there were too many “What I am going to do for doo wop song about the greatest gift ever given
unsurprisingly strong and features Grammy you God” moments instead of “What God has that first Christmas. The lively pianos mixed
nominated singer Kari Jobe and husband Coby done for me” themes. That being said, this is with saxophone and standup bass line mixed
Carnes, Meredith Andrews, Lauren Daigle, and still a great first offering. with Zach Williams’ southern drawl bring a lively
Sarah Reeves.
and energetic reminder of the celebration and
joy of Christmas.
Thematically, the album finds it’s foundation in TENTH AVENUE NORTH
the hope that only our God can give and how Decade the Halls Vol. 1
Their backwoods country version of “Go Tell It
He is our comfort in the midst of life’s struggles. on the Mountain” works well with the bells and
Fans of Bethel, Jesus Culture and Elevation funky bass and drum lines while “The First Noel”
Worship will find this album a welcome addition. takes a quick curveball turn with it’s smooth
R&B style featuring the syrupy vocal stylings of
“Zeal” kicks off the album in an energetic
Colton Dixon. We are brought into the age of
electronic timbre as Worship Pastor Henry It’s become fairly commonplace for most well grunge with the Weezer-esque “Mistletoe (The
Seeley’s bright tenor cries out authentically to known worship bands to release a Christmas Christmas Sweater Song)” which is just plain
know the heart of God. “Mountaintops” follows album. For the most part, these offerings are funny and “God Rest ye Merry Gentlemen,”
and is one of the better cuts as this driving pop fairly predictable with most being made up of does a great job representing today’s electro-
rocker reminds us about the depths to which either combinations of classic Christmas songs pop with Ellie Goulding-style vocals by Sarah
we should strive to worship our God. wrapped in holiday instrumentation or entirely Reeves.
new songs that are poorly crafted and would
Meredith Andrews takes over the vocal duties never replace the holiday classics. But then Decade the Hall Vol. 1 is a unique, endearingly
on the ethereal sounding “Stay Here” which there’s Tenth Avenue North, who tend to think quirky and memorable album that is a fresh
is a powerful reminder that when life gets and write outside the proverbial worship box as alternative that should find it’s way into your
unbearable, we need to remember to root they help us continually redefine what worship Holiday collection.
ourselves in the Promises of God and to seek should be. Their latest release, Decade the His heart because only He is faithful. The best Halls Vol. 1 is, as the name implies, is unique
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December 2017
WorshipMusician.com