Review

With this, the fourth 'Passion: One Day' release, the questions that come up are: What distinguishes this album from the others? Do I need more than one of this kind of album? Will this album have any songs I know on it? “Better is One Day” (the second album in the series) was so good, will this be a let down comparatively? And do I need another version of Matt Redman’s song? And so on… These are the kind of questions that the budget minded person has to wrestle with. But it’s like trying to decide if this steak and lobster dinner is going to be as satisfying as the other ones. It’s all good!

This release will distinguish itself from the others in that it is even more intense. Beginning with the first track, “The Noise We Make” by Chris Tomlin, we are immediately on our feet. The band will remind you of someone, but I’ll leave the comparisons to others. The album does have the requisite “Shout to the North”, “Better is One Day” and “Breathe” to bring big name song recognition to the casual buyer. But the versions, especially “Shout to the North” are very good. The worship of the thousands in attendance comes through on the recording.

And there is also Matt Redman’s “Let My Words Be Few”, on which he is the worship leader. I think, however, the strength of the album is in the other worship leaders and songwriters. Charlie Hall, Chris Tomlin, Candi Pearson, Steve Fee and Christy Nockels bring vitality and passion to the set.

“We Fall Down” by Chris Tomlin is a sweet, simple love song to Jesus, and he tells of how he was in Africa and learned it in a Botswanan language. He then told the crowd of worshipers that they were going to call a group gathered that very moment in Botwsana and sing the song back to them in their language! The ultimate in worship evangelism is to sing in the heart language of other peoples and this is what is happening here.

Candi Pearson’s rendition of Mark Altrogge’s magnificent “One Pure and Holy Passion” is another incredible moment. Charlie Hall’s “Salvation” cries out in a groove that reminds me of their earlier recording of “Glorify”. And then there’s the closer… “America”, penned by Chris Tomlin, J.D. Walt and Jack Parker is an anthem to God and His ability to raise a country as god-less as America. Led by Chris and Matt Redman, it’s 8:42 minutes of out of your seat, on your feet, raise your fist battle cries. It, alone, is worth the price of admission

So who buys this album? Anyone who wants to have a worship album that captures the spirit of the 268 Generation (for Isaiah 26:8). This is clearly a movement that isn’t going away anytime soon. You buy it if you want to hear fresh new songwriters that are inspired by the Martin Smiths and Matt Redmans of the world. They are worthy in their own right. You buy it if you want to give someone a taste of life. Give it to someone who doesn’t believe like you do. Tell them to listen to it when they are feeling like they have nothing to hold onto. Tell them that there are a group of people that do have something to hold onto. Tell them that they are walking out a journey, and you will join them on that journey, asking questions along the way. Use this album to do the stuff. Proclaim Jesus with this album!

Review by John Ausmus