Review

If you're looking for the spiritual successor to last year's masterful 'Hungry' album from VMG UK, then look no further than 'Believe' from VMG/Vineyard Canada. It's really no surprise that the real spark of brilliance on the first two VMG UK albums (Winds of Worship 12 and Hungry) came from longtime Vineyard song-meister Brian Doerksen. Even when he keeps a low profile on the singing and songwriting side of the recordings, his production skills and talents always make for a higher than average offering from Vineyard Music Group otherwise middle of the road releases.

What makes 'Believe' so delectable is the evocative musical palette the worship leaders are allowed to draw from. The songs here range from all-out rock to electronica and back to country folk sounding anthems and jigs. The overall result, (as strange as it sounds), is one of the very best recordings since...well...since 'Hungry'.

When Melissa Boraski sings the Andy Park penned 'Yet I Will Praise' the words become like soft whetstones where the Holy Spirit can sharpen even the most dull and hardened heart. 'I will praise You, Lord my God/ Even in my brokeness/ I will praise you Lord/...Even in my desperation/ I will praise You Lord' she sings and soon even the most calloused among us must begin to echo 'I will praise You, Lord my God..Even in my loneliness/ I will trust You, Lord/...Even when I cannot hear You/ I will trust You Lord'

Another great thing about this album is the way the 'unknown' worship leaders shine right alongside the stellar performances of Ruis and Doerksen. The emotional impact of this recording is felt on various successive waves of songs like 'Lily Of The Valley' (where Ruis weaves a lilting melody of '...More of You and less of me...' over and over again until you can feel the passion of his words and the cry of his heart for God to make it so). It is also felt on the excellent 'Burn In Me', from newcomers The Wildings, as they pound out a Sixpence meets Delirious sounding jig that is played with infectious exuberance, much like 'The Happy Song', only better.

The only bad thing I can think of to say about this album is that you'll have to wait another year to hear the follow-up. At least there are sixteen precious songs contained on this disc to tide us all over until then.

Review by Keith Giles