Review

I am listening to the opening track, "Forty", as I begin writing this review. I had totally forgotten this U2 classic. And I don't think I ever gave it any credence for it's spiritual content. What a great start to this project, though. I've always loved Psalm 40. Personally I think it is the reveille call for any worship leader, signaling a time to awaken and sing a song to the Lord as only they can. Singing a song, after all, is not just the music and lyrics it's a blending of those things with the heart and soul of the singer, a combination that is, in all ways, new.

Vertical Music has some very talented and inspiring leaders. Jason Morant, Dave Lubben, Lamont Hiebert and Glenn Packiam are some of them and they are the ones that give us this collection called "Worship Project P40.3".

As I listened to these songs, I was first struck by the personality of them. What I mean is that most of them were sung from a first person perspective; a lot of "I" and "me". Normally I would comment that worship songs "should" be more focused on the "You" of God, rather than oneself. But I chewed on this for a while. And I think that, in the end, these songs demonstrate the communal aspect between the Lord and us. It conveys the sentiment that we are not worshiping a God that is merely "out there". We sing to Him about how He relates to us. Many of the Psalms have this posture.

Another unique aspect is that many of the songs were written by one of the above-mentioned worship leaders, yet sung by another one of them. This is another way that community is developed and demonstrated. I get the impression that these guys really have a mutual respect for each other and find themselves privileged to sing the other's songs. The songs are laid out well and the production is solid. I don't usually listen to music on the radio, but I wager that there will be several cuts that get airtime.

After "40" comes "Chasing" by Glenn Packiam. Glenn is from the Desperation Band that has released several albums. I love his voice, his writing and his heart. And this song has a very catchy melody and chorus. Make sure you listen to the clips made available on this website. Dave Lubben covers the Newsboys' marvelous "He Reigns" and I think this is one of the highlights of the album. If you've never heard this song, make sure you do. It is one of those anthems that sing of God's incredible desire to see every nation, tongue and tribe receive His blessing, and our response to that.  Another of my favorites is "Unashamed Love", written by Ten Shekel Shirt's Lamont Hiebert and sung by Jason Morant. This is one of the songs that have an instructional video tutorial available on the CD. The gentle rocking I-IV-vi-IV progression is irresistible.

The album features many other great songs, including Delirious' "Majesty", but the final two are its crowning glory. Kathryn Scott's "At the Foot of the Cross (Ashes into Beauty)" is magnificent and the strong lyrics come across so well. "At the foot of the cross where grace and suffering meet. You have shown me Your love through the judgment you received. And You've won my heart now I can trade these ashes in for beauty, wear forgiveness like a crown, coming to kiss the feet of mercy, I lay every burden down at the foot of the cross where I am made complete". This is one of those great ministry time songs that will serve well congregationally or in private.

The final track is Dave Lubben's "Who You Are" that Glenn Packiam sings. And this is one great closer! A beautiful piano intro sets the mood for Glenn's wonderful voice to sing, "I want to know who you are".

This album is a "various artist" album, but it doesn't feel disparate at all. It's well connected and a pleasure to listen to and worship along with. It's the kind of album that will be very well received by the broader Church, as well as by contemporary worship leaders looking for solid Sunday songs for their own congregations to sing. It will also serve to introduce these leaders to you, if you haven't already been. Each has other recordings available on this website.

Review by John Ausmus