Review

You may not know that Reuben Morgan has more titles listed in the CCLI Top 500 (17) than any other writer. You've probably sung his songs many times. You just probably haven't heard him sing his own songs.

As a vital part of Hillsongs worship team for the better part of a decade, Reuben is stepping up and giving us his songs, his way. "World Through Your Eyes" is his first solo album, and you need to throw out any pre-existing paradigm of what a Hillsongs recording is going to sound like.

I'll tell you what, I thought I liked "My Redeemer Lives" before, but this version knocks me out! His voice is such a contrast to Darlene Zschech, understated, even a bit throaty, and not at all big and bright. Because of that the band, especially the electric guitar, are clean and crisp and out front. True confession, my 3 year-old daughter starts dancing every time I put it on, and I join her in our living room, unabashedly jumping and twirling.

Second up is "Hear Our Praises", and it's also unlike you may remember it. It, too, is full of jangly electric guitars and great vocal hooks; likewise with "All the Heaven".

Here's a big takeaway for you on this album, and I speak as one who is an "OK" guitar player, but certainly nothing to write home about. I've shied away from playing Hillsongs in the past for no other reason than the arrangements have not lent themselves to my style. But that all changes with this album. Reuben Morgan excels with the written word and the songs here all have a certain straight forward sing-ability. His version of "I Give You My Heart" really resonates with me, and this recording shows me how to play it in a living room. Having said that, for those who lead with electric guitar, this album demonstrates how to pull it off without overpowering.

The album's pace drops down a notch after the first few songs, but one to really sink your teeth into is "Gloria", which is perhaps the most powerful song on the album.

This is a studio album; in fact Morgan turned his house into one giant studio for the project. The yardstick used to measure worship songs (for the larger Body) is how a congregation is able to make the songs their own. Studio albums aren't able to convey that, but rest assured that these songs are "tested" before a live congregation! You'll want to spend some time with this album and decide which songs will work best in your own congregation or home group. And, as with others who give us new arrangements of great songs, you may feel inspired to re-arrange even these arrangements.

Actually, I look forward to re-visiting old Hillsongs albums to compare the arrangements. And, while hearing Reuben doing Reuben is very fresh, how cool is it that Darlene Zschech sings your songs, too? I think that it is the blend of those two that is the stronger, with Darlene bringing her passion and vibrancy.

Review by John Ausmus