Review

Most of us can probably remember those orange juice commercials that would conclude with the slogan, "Orange Juice. It's not just for breakfast anymore!" I think the same could be said about rock-oriented worship music - it's not just for youth anymore. It's been almost ten years since Delirious released "Cutting Edge" and I think it's safe to say that there are a lot of grown-up worshippers out there that still like to rock. Enter Peculiar People Band. This trio comes to us from South Africa, by way of Southern California, with their new release, "Not Ashamed." Despite its high energy music and passionate lyrics, this CD shouldn't be dismissed as just another alternative worship CD. Like their fellow South African band, Tree63, Peculiar People Band delivers a musical sincerity and lyrical substance that seems to be missing with many other bands in this genre.

While Peculiar People Band is clearly a group of very capable musicians, it doesn't take long to realize that the CD isn't going to venture into any unknown musical territory. But that's just what makes this CD work. Instead of leaving us lost in the stratosphere of a new cutting-edge sound, songwriter and front-man Gary Rea seems to concentrate on presenting well-developed lyrical ideas in these 13 original songs. As a result, we are spared the usual peppering of worship lyric clichs that are found in many songs today.

This CD opens up with a driving anthem titled, "Today." This song is written from a congregational approach with the lyrics, "Today we surrender/Today we bow down/Today we say come and take control." This would make a great opening song for a worship set. In fact, many of the songs on "Not Ashamed" could be used in a congregational setting. Even if your church's musical taste doesn't lean toward alternative rock, many of these songs could be arranged for a more "toned-down" style without loosing their impact. The heart of this band becomes apparent by the third song, "Rise With You." This song is a fresh expression of the classic theme of forsaking all to have greater intimacy with God. The song proclaims "We want to rise with You/Nothing in this world can hold us down/Fly with You/Even if it means we lose the world."

Not every song on this CD is necessarily suited for congregational use. For instance, there's the thought provoking, "On My Mind" - a song about a girl at the end of her rope which ask the question, "Can we feel her pain?/And if we don't look outside ourselves/Who will break her chains?" But even these songs are worshipful offerings that contribute to the spirit of the CD as a whole.

With themes centering on surrender and devotion, Peculiar People Band's "Not Ashamed" displays the band's ability to create relevant worship music both musically and lyrically. In short, if you like the present state of modern alternative worship music, then you will like this CD.

Review by Jeremy Dunn