PHIL WICKHAM Living Hope
Other than Nick Herbert ' s energetic vocals on the opening track, the women really keep this album afloat with songs like " Reckless Love," " Yes and Amen," and, what is probably one of the most creative adaptations of the 23rd Psalm I have ever heard, the honest and passionate title track, " You Restore My Soul."
" What a Saviour " is a theologically strong piece with a great hook line and memorable melodies about the saving power of Christ ' s resurrection, and " Nothing But Grace " is a creatively written mid-tempo ballad about how nothing but the grace of Christ can bring life and light into our lives.
You Restore My Soul was a bit of a roller coaster at times, with some of the songs being absolutely forgettable but then being followed up by tracks that caught my attention and prompted me to listen to the next, only to be slightly disappointed once again. The album as a whole isn ' t bad, but I was a bit surprised at how truly far apart the good songs and bad songs were, as if they were just thrown together with little thought. That being said, there are three or four tracks that really stood apart and should find their way into your Sunday morning set list.
1. |
Great Things |
2. |
Living Hope |
3. |
Breath Away |
4. |
Till I Found You |
5. |
How Great Is Your Lov |
6. |
Boundless |
7. |
Song In My Soul |
8. |
Wild River |
9. |
Anthem |
10. Eyes Fixed |
11. |
Tethered |
12. Revive Us Again |
13. Christ Is Risen |
It ' s been two years since California native |
song-writer and well known worship leader, |
Phil Wickham has blessed the church with |
new music. His signature falsetto and youthful |
sound have birthed such church favorites as |
" This is Amazing Grace," " Doxology( Amen ")," |
and " Your Love Awakens Me." Living Hope is |
Wickham ' s seventh full-length studio project, |
and the first to be co-written with nineteen |
other worship writers from around the world. |
The thirteen track collection is being heralded |
as Wickham ' s most congregationally friendly |
release |
to |
date. |
Musically, |
Living |
Hope |
continues to follow the trend of anthemic, EDM |
laced pop that, sadly, is becoming somewhat |
overdone as the CCM worship world continues |
to find a unique voice. Thankfully this collection |
features a few songs that jump out and capture the worshippers heart as Wickham ' s striking tenor and delivery keeps this album from drowning in a sea of overdone mediocrity.
The best song on the album is the title track, which was co-written with Bethel ' s Brian Johnson, and not only serves as a systemic narration of the Gospel, but is highlighted by a melody that is simple enough for a congregation with an array of musical backgrounds to latch onto immediately.
" Boundless,” " Tethered," and " Eyes Fixed " use wonderfully written word pictures to communicate God ' s love and mercy, yet were hampered with their somewhat cookie-cutter arrangements and overused Christian clichés.
" How Great Is Your Love " was co-penned with Kristian Stanfill, and although the title has been done over and over again, this is a powerful examination of the saving power of the cross in one of the better written songs on the album.
This wasn ' t my favorite Wickham album, but it does have a bunch of nice moments and songs that your congregation should be singing. I was a bit disappointed in what I personally perceived as a bit more lyrical laziness this time around from Wickham. I honestly expected more, but this album is still worth a listen.
Gerod Bass Worship leader in Tacoma, WA. Mentor with Worship Catalyst. Singer, songwriter, guitarist with a passion for impacting lives for the sake of the Gospel. oslc. com
October 2018 WorshipMusician. com
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