Review

This is the second Cd from Vertical's highly acclaimed worship leader, Darrell Evans. "Freedom" is an upbeat, hook-laden collection of worship songs performed with an uncommon amount of energy. Darrell certainly channels a well-spring of exuberance into each song on this recording, and at times his excitement overshadows the songs themselves. A live recording would be astounding if even a portion of his dynamic performances on tape could be duplicated in front of a live audience, and I've no doubt it easily could.

After the full-throttle praise of the first three songs has begun to fade, "I Am In Love With You" begins to reveal a deeper facet of Darrell's heart.

"You found me in the darkness
And brought me to the light
You took my lifeless heart
And gave me life
...I can't get enough of you
'Cause I am in love with you
Oh how I long for you
'Cause I am in love with you."

Still, most of the music on "Freedom" is wildly upbeat and joyfully shouting the praises of God. The opening track "Trading My Sorrows" begins by proclaiming:

"I'm trading my sorrows
I'm trading my shame
I'm laying them down
For the joy of the Lord."

The music that follows hits the ground running to keep pace with Darrell's full-speed celebration of this wonderful exchange.

"So Good To Me" follows this declaration with a simple adoration of God's mercy and love. You know he is drop-dead serious as Darrell sings:

"You're so good to me, Nah nah nah nah
You're so good to me, Nah nah nah nah....
Jesus you're the One
Who saved myself from me
So I will be the one
To praise you in the streets.."

Perhaps the most beautiful lyric is rendered in one of the final songs here, "Your Love Is Extravagant" which expresses a universal sentiment that all believers can sing along with:
"Spread wide in the arms of Christ

Is the love that covers sin
No greater love have I ever known
You considered me a friend
Capture my heart again."

If you are a fan of Darrell's work, you probably already have this one. If you're new to his music and you enjoy taking a musical journey on a virtual "bullet train" of God's joy...then you need look no farther than "Freedom".

Reviewed by Keith Giles