NEW MUSIC
[ SELECTIVE HEARING | Robert Berman ]
JONNY LANG two. Producer John Mark Nelson, known for ensemble. The album title, Work Songs, sets
Signs several well-received acoustic-ambient albums forth the theme of vocation and our calling in
under his own name recently, brings a fresh our daily work, which runs strongly through
sonic palette to Sara’s piano-based singer/ tracks like “Your Labor Is Not In Vain,” “Little
songwriter style, achieving airy results on tracks Things with Great Love,” and the beautiful
like death hymn “Abide with Me (fast falls the “Christ Has No Body But Ours” (on earth). This
eventide)” and “The Love of God (is richer still),” collection is not happy clappy music. This is
Guitar hero, anyone? Lang entered the national one of the crowning poetic achievements of profound reflection on the lives to which Christ
scene in his late teens with scorching guitar hymnody. Groves also includes a few originals, calls us, as well as being art music well worth
and a voice beyond his years. Twenty years including a remake of her well-known “He’s supporting on its musical merits.
later, and now the father of five children, Lang Always Been Faithful.” The best track, “To the is taking stock of the ups and downs of his life Dawn,” retunes and adds an Isaiah 9:2 based and faith. Lang’s third studio album in 11 years refrain to Henry Burton’s 19th century poem BEAUTIFUL EULOGY
brings another double fistful of blues-rock to “There’s a Light Upon the Mountains,” whose Worthy
show how it’s done. Both his raspy vocals and “hope beyond the aching” theme recalls much his tasty guitar licks are in fine form, whether of Groves’ own most eloquent work: “Weary he’s challenging a metaphorical mountain was our heart with waiting, and the night- (“Make it Move”), facing off against temptation watch seems so long, but the hearts of men are (“Snakes”), or confessing his sins (“Wisdom”). stirring, and we hail it with a song.” For good Writer/producers Drew Ramsey and Shannon reason, these songs keep coming back around The guys from Humble Beast Records have
Sanders (India.Arie, John Legend) steer the to subsequent generations. This opportunity always been worthy of checking out, and their
grooving ship again with plenty of organ to hear them afresh, from such an appealing latest release is no exception, unleashing a
and soulful BGVs. Blues music can have a singer, is most welcome. torrent of confessional hip-hop to challenge
reputation of being slow or repetitive, but Lang and inspire. Where Lecrae’s and Propaganda’s
keeps things mostly upbeat and driving, with excellent recent albums mix a high dose of
appropriately interspersed moments of howling THE PORTER’S GATE social commentary into their rhymes, Beautiful
lament, closing things off with the unexpectedly Volume 1: Work Songs Eulogy (Braille, Odd Thomas, and Courtland
tender and haunting acoustic “Singing Songs.” Urbano) stick to articulate explanations of
Fans of John Mayer, Joe Bonamassa, or even Christian beliefs and their relevance in our daily
Prince will find much to enjoy here. lives. “If…” builds off of Job’s experience to
examine our willingness to sacrifice for Christ.
“Sovereign” takes aim at our tendencies either
SARA GROVES Isaac Wardell has your antidote for monocultural to mistrust God’s plans or to reduce them to
Abide With Me worship music. Known for his Bifrost Arts series a matter of abstract theological discussion.
of concept albums that brought together the Album highlight “Messiah” examines modern
likes of Leigh Nash, Rosie Thomas, and The idolatry over a sparse piano and guitar line: “I
Gregory Brothers a few years back, Wardell suppose what exposes the worship in most of
now assembles a new mass of talent drawn us is a close look at our thoughts, fears, and
equally from the worlds of indie folk and urban emotions.” The production is clean, the diction
On the heels of 2015’s deeply introspective praise, recorded live during a worship leader is clear, and so is the message.
Floodplain album comes this collection of summit in NYC. Contributors include Josh hymns set to varied tunes: traditional ones, Garrels, Liz Vice, Audrey Assad, Latifah Alattas, original ones, and hybrid reconfigurations of the Madison Cunningham, and the Urban Doxology
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December 2017
WorshipMusician.com