Review

Here is a worship album fresh from the shores of merry ole England. I'll let this group introduce themselves to you by quoting from the CD insert:

"New Frontiers is the latest recording featuring Stuart Townend, Phatfish, Kate Simmonds and Paul Oakley, the team behind the highly-acclaimed Stoneleigh worship albums New Frontiers International is a worldwide family of churches together on a mission, served by a team led by Terry Virgo. Our goal is to restore the church, make disciples, train leaders and reach the nations through evangelism, church planting, publishing and conferences."

As "live" albums go, I thought the engineering on this album was very good. Distinct vocals, nice instrumentation, and on several of the songs the background choir really was mixed in nicely. The team who produced this project is to be commended for offering us a worship experience that we could feel a part of when listening to it.

Speaking of "listening", that is probably this albums strong point. I found I really enjoyed the trip as I floated down the river of "New Frontiers: Live." As far as being able to sing along, this CD felt more suited to a worship "concert" for the listener (certainly an enjoyable one!) than a participatory service. The wordiness and phrasing of the songs felt awkward to me as a congregational song collection. This album was much more enjoyable if you simply shut your eyes and listened. I always love a "live" worship feel on an album and this certainly has that.

An exception to the listening recommendation is Paul Oakley's "Be Lifted Up." Minimal words and maximum engagement! I found myself immediately able to sing and enter into the spirit of this tune. After once through I was able to shut me eyes, lift my voice and heart and love our God. This is a very good offering for congregational participation.

However, the song worth buying the album for is "God of Mercy." This song was originally written as a prayer for the AIDS orphans of Africa. If this one doesn't bring tears to your eyes, then your cry-er is broke! What a heartfelt appeal for God's help in this modern day tragedy! Lou Fellingham, the author, has certainly been gripped by God's own compassion for the sufferers of this terrible plague. That compassion has flowed out into a musical petition for divine intervention. I hope you are all able to hear this song at some point. Perhaps not so you can sing it on a Sunday morning, but to be able to join this plea and personally send it up as an incense prayer to our Father.

Lastly, I believe worshipping the Lord with those of other nations is one of the most powerful things you can do. The sense of God's presence that is upon a multi-national worship service is remarkable. David the Psalmist cried: "I will sing to you among the nations." To sing to the God of the nations, with the nations and among the nations is a worship experience to be remembered. Thanks to modern technology we are able to do that in our own living rooms and automobiles. Now I have had that experience with Stuart, Phatfish (what a name!), Kate, Paul and their choir.

If you are looking for new Sunday morning songs to add to your repertoire, you probably aren't going to find them here. But if you'd like to shut your eyes, lie back and enjoy a time of communion with Him then you might want to think about adding this CD to your collection.

Review by Danny Mullins