Review

"Beautiful News" marks Matt Redman's first return to the studio since his "Where Angels Fear To Tread" CD and his first offering of new material since his amazing "Facedown" live CD. Matt's last studio effort was quite uninspired in terms of production and music (though it did give us "Blessed Be Your Name"). But this time around, the production clichés and mediocrity have been left behind for innovative arrangements and simpler lyrics. I always enjoy when a worship studio album pushes the envelope of creative production while still preserving the message of worship and "Beautiful News" is a great example of this balance.

If you follow the Passion recordings, then you will recognize a few of the songs on this CD like "You Never Let Go" and "All Over The World". You may also recognize "A Greater Song" which Matt co-wrote with Paul Baloche and was recently released on Paul's CD of the same title. But the majority of the tracks are brand new songs. Redman has long been a teacher of sorts through his lyrical exposition of worship theology and writing worship songs about the act of worship. This time around he still presents worship songs about the act of worshiping but with a focus on worshipping God to bring about His glory and fame. "Beautiful News" points out yet another important purpose of worship by pounding away at the message that as we worship, we become living witnesses of a living God.

Like so many studio worship CDs, the arrangements are beautifully done, but not always practical for your average worship team to pull off on a Sunday morning. Worship leaders and teams will have to use their imagination on some songs to figure out if they will work for congregational worship after the arrangement is stripped down. I have found that "You Never Let Go", "All Over The World", "A Greater Song" and "Shine" work well live. You may find more that fit your church.

For the fan of Matt Redman, "Beautiful News" will not disappoint. As always Matt's songs are lyrically meaty, theologically sound, and straight from the heart. And as always the listener is a more cognizant worshipper after having listened through. Followers of Redman's music will also notice that he has a lot more up-tempo songs with a driving, intense feel, ala Delirious. While I always prefer to hear Matt Redman leading worship in front of a congregation or crowd, I must say that "Beautiful News" is a top-notch studio effort that delights on a musical level and challenges on a spiritual one.

Review by Jeremy Dunn