Review

'Open my eyes so I can see.
Open my ears so I can hear.
Open my mouth that I may boldly proclaim the cross'...

The songs on the first release by WorshipMusic.com entitled 'Soularize' are indeed bold. They walk on the very fine line of great performances and authentic worship experiences. Musically, the album is very cool and modern while at the same time pointing the listener vertically to the Lord. On the opening cut by Charlie Hall, 'Once For All', the music is a cross between Lenny Kravitz and Blood, Sweat, and Tears. An infectious drum loop, cool guitar sounds, and tasteful horns. What a combo, yet no one is drawing attention to themselves. The music totally supports the urgent lyric. You gotta hear this.

On the second tune Tim Hughes, from the UK, leads us in a very singable chorus accompanied by another creative drum loop. Beautiful strings carry the tune along supporting Tim's endearing vocal that invites the listener to sing with him. Listen to this one with the top down on an autumn day. 'Here I am to worship...'

Cut three is from veteran Rita Springer. Rita always takes me to another place in my spirit and makes me want to 'sell all' and live more fully for Jesus. There is something in her voice that calls to the deep place in me. Go ahead and listen, but I've warned you, there's no turning back.

'Freedom reigns in this place' echoes over and over on the next track. You may have heard this song before, but not like this. The chorus is infectious and the production is very fresh. That's what strikes me about so much of this album. The productions are as good as any radio cuts you might hear on alternative radio stations yet the message never seems to get lost. The tracks feel honest and unpretentious. In my opinion, this song should be included with all the 'modern worship classics' being sung today.

The song 'Burning' makes me wish I was a 17 year old worship leader in a post modern fellowship. Raw, edgy, real. Remember how you felt when you heard the song 'Hungry' for the very first time? I love it.

The CD moves along with an intimate, 'live' ballad with no overdubs. A girl with her guitar, singing to her God. No fillers or additives. As pure as it gets. How refreshing.

Surely you have heard the song 'I will not forget You'. This is the original version by Ben and Robin Pasley, otherwise known as 100 Portraits. Hear the writers of this song sing like they are gathered at your kitchen table drinking coffee and worshipping the Lord with a group of friends. You'll want to join them.

On and on the album goes. I love almost everything on this project, which is rare these days. Styles are subjective, but as a worship leader in a local church, I know I'll be singing many of these songs for a while. I bet you will too.

WorshipMusic.com has always been an advocate for the 'independents'. Thankfully we get to hear and appreciate songs and songwriters that might not always make it to the mainstream Christian bookstores. However I think that what I'm hearing on Soularize could be the 'mainstream' in just a few years. The church has always been slow to change. But when it does, music coming from 'outside the camp' is usually at the forefront.

If I were an editor, this would be my Editors pick for the past year, just after Ten Shekel Shirt. This is an important album.

Review by Paul Baloche