Review

Wow! If there was one word to describe this tenth installment in the Praise Band Series, it would be "Surprising".

This CD is probably one of the more contemporary offerings from Maranatha in a very, very long time. In fact, at times it sounds closer to a Gen-X release than most of the other intended Gen-X releases in recent days.

Opening with "Meet With Me", this studio recording is polished without being homogenized. The vocals are on the spot with Matthew Ward, Chris Lizotte, Paul Baloche and others providing great energy and immediacy to these lyrics.

"Open The Eyes Of My Heart", the Integrity chorus, is done here by Matthew Ward on vocals and owes much to the recent rock treatment by Sonic Flood. "I Will Not Forget You", taken from the "Enter The Worship Circle" CD is also re-done here with a more artistic vibe than anyone would expect from a CD with the Maranatha dove on the cover.

One of the CD's more enjoyable surprises comes from Glenn Pearce on the electric guitar. After playing on nearly every worship Cd from VMG to Brownsville Assembly, he's finally being allowed to "go for it" on this project, and he lets his obvious talent lend to the sense of worship and join in the abandon. At times his playing makes you forget that this was recorded in a cold, dark studio, sounding instead more like something where all the players are actually involved in corporate worship.

The softer moments aren't without merit either. On "Love You More" you'll feel compelled to join in with Rita Baloche as she sings,

"I was born to fall in love with You
You're the one I've waited for
Lord, I want to fall in love You
Show me how to love You more".

But, no sooner have you entered into this intimate state of worship than the very next song kicks you in the pants and gets you jumping with "In That Day" where the aforementioned Glenn Pearce really gets to let his guitar skills shine through. On "You Never Let Us Down", the lyrics continue the refreshing sense of surprise by reminding us,

"Heroes rise up
Sometimes they fall
Summertime has its rainy days
Every mountain has its valleys
True love has a price to pay
But You never let us down
You never disappoint us
You always keep Your word
You always come through for us".

There's not much here that feels flat or could be accused of being "filler" material. The edgier songs would fit wonderfully into any youth or college worship service, or could even spice up a Sunday Morning set to inspire everyone to rise to their feet and clap or raise their hands, while "Song Of The Lamb" and "You Are My Refuge" are especially tailored for great moments of intimacy and reflection.

"As You Truly Are", is sung with incredible emotion by Chris Lizotte, and is surprisingly saved for the final cut, leaving the listener with an inspiring sense of God's beauty and glory.

"In That Day" is an enjoyable recording whether you are looking for great new songs for your worship band to learn, or just cranking it to eleven in your car. Let's hope that Maranatha can continue to release projects with this kind of passion and energy in the future.

Reviewed by Keith Giles