NEW MUSIC
[ NOW HEAR THIS | Gerod Bass ]
RIVER VALLEY WORSHIP a fresh and creative way. “Hope Has A Name” Riddle. His latest collection features twelve
Million Lifetimes literally had me up grabbing my guitar to figure vertical worship songs rooted in themes of the
out the chord structure so that I could lead this saving power of the cross and God’s incredible
song at my church in the near future. The song mercy and faithfulness. Riddle’s authentic
begins with a gorgeous piano arpeggio before vocals and creative musical arrangements keep
building into a powerful song of hope. The hook the album interesting and palatable throughout.
laden chorus will ring in your heart for days.
“Clean River” follows, and will find it’s place in
your Sunday services as a perfect response to
confession as it is not only interesting musically,
but also theologically hits the mark of how only
the blood of Christ cleanses us.
The standout tracks include the title track,
which opens the album with an energetic,
electronic vibe as Riddle reminds us how God
keeps revealing His majesty in our lives each
and every day. “All Hail King Jesus” is in stark
contrast to the opener and finds us at Golgotha
The album wraps up appropriately with the on Good Friday, as it begins with a somber tone
River Valley Worship is a collection of artists, missional sending song, “The World Needs before erupting into a victorious declaration of
musicians, and songwriters who are an Jesus,” that calls believers to be the hands Easter Joy.
extension of the vibrant creative culture within and feet of Christ in a world that desperately River Valley Church. With campuses spread needs Him.
across the greater Minneapolis, MN area as
well as an international campus in Swaziland,
Africa, River Valley Worship is making a global
impact not only through their daily ministries but
also through their worship releases, the newest
of which is entitled Million Lifetimes.
we can lose who God has made us to be
I was glad that I pushed through the first because of our sinfulness and how God waits
few tracks of this album because there were to welcome us home like the father of the
great explorations of God’s mercy and our Prodigal, no matter what we have done.
response on the other side. The dance worship
tracks will appeal to a younger generation, but
this album surprised me when suddenly the
This twelve track album is their first since songs seemed to “grow up” both musically
being signed by BEC records this past year, and lyrically, and because of this, its appeal
and its main heartbeat is centered on the hope became intergenerational. Million Lifetimes is a
that only Christ can bring. Sonically, a majority well written, creative, and meaningful worship
of the album is along the same musical vein release with a fantastic message that our world
as Hillsong Young & Free, but it is the depth of needs to hear.
Jeremy Riddle is a great worship writer
and performer, and I was impressed by how
intentional and well thought out the songs
and their arrangements are on this album. It
is obvious that Jeremy and his team took their
time in the creative process, and that God’s
word and personal experience both played
a major role as they were penned. Riddle’s
soaring vocals and tight harmonies abound,
writing throughout that makes this album better
than most of it’s counterparts.
“Shadow” is an honest look at how sometimes
and the musical forethought here is very
JEREMY RIDDLE
At first listen I began to roll my eyes at
creative, expressive, and honest.
More
the cookie cutter pads, dance groove, and
COREY VOSS
somewhat cliché lyrics of the opening few
Songs of Heaven and Earth
songs, but then the title track cued up, and
what followed were a few of the better songs
There are three things that make a worship
I have heard on a live worship album in a
song great: a memorable, singable melody, a
quite a while.
sound theological idea that is rooted in scripture,
“Million Lifetimes” has the typical keyboard and one that says something that others don’t.
loops and four on the floor beat we are all There are few worship artists that can achieve
so accustomed to as the foundation of this what I like to call the “Simple/complex” worship
rhythmic pop anthem, but lyrically sets itself
apart as lead worshipper, Ryan Williams, sings
about the greatness and wonder of our God in
56
More is the first solo release in 7 years by
Bethel worship leader and song writer, Jeremy
February 2018
song, and even fewer that can write more than
one using this recipe. Corey Voss is one of
those artists, and his latest release, Songs of
WorshipMusician.com