Review

Matt's got a new album. If I didn't know better, I'd almost feel sorry for him. Let me explain. He's had his finger on the pulse of a generation as it presses in deeper towards God. He's written songs that have become standards in all sorts of churches. Nearly everyone has a favorite Matt Redman song or two. The reason I sympathize for him is that he's a tough act to follow, even for him. Can he do it again, with his new album "Facedown"?

Here's what I think. David wrote a lot of Psalms in the Bible. I'm not absolutely certain about this, but I'm willing to bet that he didn't write them all when he was 25. They came over the years, and he always wrote about what he was passionate about. Great songwriters are like that, too. They write some songs during times in their lives when they are moved, challenged, changed, etc And then, a couple of years later, they've been challenged and changed again, and voila, a whole new bunch of songs.

Thus it is with Redman. While the Church still reverberates with the strains of "Let Everything That Has Breath" and "The Heart of Worship", he has gone to the mat with the Lord and come up with a limp (like Jacob); and 11 new songs. As always, the more you listen to the songs, the more you identify with them. Woe to the person who gives this the once over. From his past albums, it's evident that Redman is intent on obedience to the Lord and sensitivity to the Spirit. On this new project he continues to be, even more so.

Let's get to the songs Since they were recorded live at a conference for songwriters, they are "congregationally tested". The album opens with "Praise Awaits You" with its electric guitars power chords and anthem singing. This will surely make its way into the Church as a call to worship song par excellence. "Dancing Generation" is kind of like the sequel to "Undignified". It's a rowdy song for the young and young at heart. Again, it exclaims the joy of unashamedly dancing before the Lord.

There are several songs that I think are going to become Sunday morning and Wednesday night worship songs. "Seeing You" is a really great concept. Matt is trying to show that before someone can respond to God they have to have revelation of Him. So, worship starts with seeing You. It's putting the horse in front of the cart, as it should be. "Worthy, You Are Worthy" is just another simple song with the same divine sentiment that has been recorded so many times before. But, I like it! It's easy to sing and easy to play. It's got a I-ii-I/iii-IV progression that, in my opinion, is a gift from God to all of us worship leaders. "Facedown" is the answer to the revelation of God. It's our response to fall face down in awe and surrender.

However, the absolute BEST song on this album, the one that I can't stop playing, the one that I have to hear EVERY day on my drive into work is "Mission's Flame". This is about the response after we get up from being face down in awe. This is about going back down the mountain of Transfiguration. We're called not to dwell there, but to go to the highways and hedges and let the world know about the love of God. Why? As the song goes "Let worship be the fuel for mission's flame, we're going with a passion for Your name, we're going 'cause we care about Your praise, send us out". Pastor John Piper wrote the now famous words in Let the Nations be Glad "Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is. Missions exist because worship doesn't". God is worthy of the praise of every tribe and tongue, and He commissioned His church to spread the word. Until that goal is met, we all have work to do. This song not only has the impact of the words, but it grooves, too.

One last thing that I want to say about this album is that on almost every song Matt moves into an extended tag. This really helps pull you into the song. It's not just three minutes, verse, chorus, verse, chorus, chorus and out. I love the times when he goes off the printed page and just jams for the Lord.

Nathan Nockels produces this one and that means there is quality from the top down. He is an incredible producer with quite a track record. Get this latest release from Matt Redman and play it over and over. You won't be sorry that you did. And when Matt puts out his next album, you might find yourself wondering if there's another "Mission's Flame" or "Dancing Generation" on it!

Review by John Ausmus