Review

Our friends from down under have again brought us heartfelt worship packaged in good music with thoughtful lyrics. You Are My World is a live album of 13 songs reflecting the collective efforts of 8 writers, including 3 from Darlene Zschech. All the songs are new except for the final two that were borrowed from the recent contemporary project Best Friends.

The collection begins with 'Your Love Is Beautiful,' and the listener is immediately ushered into the energy and passion of worship Australian style. Track two reveals this label's apparent commitment to explore a fresh sound. Marty Sampson's 'God is Great,' is a moderately edgy tune driven by electric guitars and drums. From here, the tempo settles into the confession that 'All of My Days' will be spent proclaiming his goodness, followed by three tender songs of intimate worship. One of these songs, 'Emmanuel,' is especially nice, because it leads us to sing our confessions as an assembly of believers. By singing we instead of I, it emphasizes the power and significance of worshiping corporately.

'You Are My God' is a prayer of surrender, and is probably the title track because its message seems to summarize the heart of the album. This is followed by a vintage Hillsong wake up tune. From energy to simplicity, the listener is then treated to, in my opinion, the stand out song of this project. 'God So Loved' is strikingly simple, leaving the message plenty of room to speak for itself. There's ample texture for the worshiper to bask in the contemplation of the greatest of all messages, 'God so loved the world that he gave His only Son.' The song then swells subtly into the proclamation 'Worthy is the Lamb that was slain.' This song is worth the price of the CD. I can tell you, as a worship leader, this is the kind of hidden treasure I really appreciate getting told about--- selah.

The recording ends with a couple selections from Hillsong's contemporary series album United Live- Best Friend. The final song, 'Best Friend' is definitely targeting the young adult genre.

What stands out to me with every Hillsong worship project is the deeply personal origin of the lyrics. Even though there are eight writers contributing to You Are My World, there is woven into each song a common thread of relational sincerity toward a God who is loved intimately. It's obvious the music is birthed from a worshiping community.

If you're previewing this album to find songs your church can use, I would recommend that you buy it. There aren't any 'Shout To the Lord' caliber songs here (you know the kind that are going to sweep across the globe and be sung in every nation), but I'm sure you'll find one or two you can use, along with a few other serious possibilities. That should make this a worthwhile investment.

If you're considering this music to add to your own personal worship collection, well the operative word is personal. Given the subjectivity of musical preference, I can't guarantee you'll love it; but if you're a worshiper, you will appreciate the heart of this project. If you're already a Hillsong fan, there's nothing here to disappoint you, and for those who haven't been big on this brand of music in the past, I would recommend you take another listen to the fresh sound on this collection.

My parting thought- the music on You Are My World, seems to spring from deep within the worshiper's heart and targets the depths of the heart of God. This worship is genuine and does, at times, draw that indescribable peace upon the listening worshiper. A CD can't get much better than that. Enjoy.

Review by Greg Dille