Review

A generation of worshipers has been affected by what has come from Hillsong Church in New South Wales, Australia. Make that multiple generations. Hillsong United has released a fifth album, "More Than Life"; with songs that are so thoroughly honest and engaging that I feel this might be a "bridge" album that connects generations. Much like Delirious' Cutting Edge was a decade ago, this album has an appeal to it that will reach across age groups and denominations and bring life to many churches that play these songs.

The phrase "You come from good stock" would apply here. Has there been a more prolific song-writing church anywhere in the world than Hillsong? But what is United? By way of explanation, Hillsong has, like any church, a youth program. The "68s" are the middle school kids, "Wildlife" are the High School kids, "Powerhouse" make up the 18-25 age group. When they all come together, they are "United".

They all came together for this album at "Encounterfest 2003". Worship leaders Joel Houston (son of Hillsong pastors Brian and Bobbie Houston) and Marty Sampson bring us an hour and 15 minutes of jumping up and down, hands thrust to the heavens, love songs to Jesus.

This package is a particular prize in that it also includes a 45-minute DVD with some concert footage along with sound bites from them and other Hillsong folk, such as Darlene Zsczech, Rueben Morgan and youth pastor Phil Dooley. I heartily recommend this DVD to any youth group leader. It is very inspirational, modeling for kids what can happen when you're sold out for Jesus.

Of the 15 tracks on the album, either Joel Houston or Marty Sampson wrote nine of them. Rueben Morgan wrote a couple, there are a couple of Delirious tunes and one magnificent contribution from Tim Hughes (he joins the band for his own Consuming Fire).

The first three songs are really driving songs that need your full attention. "One Way" is a song of commitment to the Lord, "Light" prays for Jesus to illuminate the way and "Evermore" declares a devotion that lasts forever. The next track is "Open Up the Heavens". Really, this is one of those tags at the end of a song that just sort of takes off. It locks into a groove and sings simple lyrics over and over, all the while building rhythmically to a crescendo. I got to thinking about the place in Exodus where Moses breaks out into a song to the Lord. It says that all Israel sings along. Then Moses' sister, Miriam, took a tambourine and just started singing over and over again, "Sing to the Lord, for He is highly exalted, the horse and its rider He has hurled into the sea". This kind of worship is very powerful and, thankfully, it happens several times on this album. The next 8 or 9 songs are on the softer side, and among them are a couple of my favorite songs. "Always" is lead by one of the women in the band and it comes in a place where it is just perfect. The liner notes don't specifically say which one is singing that song, but it is beautiful.

Something I think is funny is that I was listening to the album when I first got it (in the car, but by myself) and I heard one song that sounded like Martin Smith from Delirious was singing. I mean, I know the difference between an Australian accent and an English accent. Well, turns out I was wrong it was Tim Hughes, singing Consuming Fire. This is another highpoint on the album for me. It, again, contains the "tag" singing I spoke of earlier, exhorting God to "stir it up in our hearts, Lord, give us passion for your name.

The album ends about where it began, rocking your socks off. "Soldier" features rap-esque military cadence vocals from Tulele Faletolu. Finally, what should become an anthem for young people all over the world is "All Day", by Marty Sampson. Check the lyrics: "I don't care what they say about me, it's alright. I don't care what they think about me, it's alright, they'll get it one day. I love you, I'll follow you, you are my life. I will read my Bible and pray, I will follow you all day". It ends with a bridge that exhorts "For all my friends that don't know you, I pray that you'll save them, too.

I'm excited about this album. I think "More Than Life" has it all: Writing, musicianship, diversity, and no-holds-barred worship.

Review by John Ausmus