Review

"Never Looking Back" is the third (counting Vineyard's TTFH #37) release by the worship leaders that make up The Burn Vineyard and Five Cities Vineyard in the San Luis Obispo area of California. They are diligent in trying to capture the passion and flavor of the worship that is taking place there.

Taken from John Wesley's comment "Catch on fire with enthusiasm and people will come for miles to watch you burn", the Burn Service is about white-hot love for God, on display for all to see.

This album features Ryan Delmore and Jessie Lane, along with newcomer Joel Limpic, with Darren Clarke producing, playing and contributing songs. The brilliance in this release is in the simple, honest and authentic lyrics. 12 songs sung TO Jesus (rather than ABOUT Jesus) that exclaim His beauty, strength, love and holiness.

Ryan Delmore has a knack for saying, in very few words, what so many people feel. He has empathy for the human condition; unfulfilled by anything short of the grace of God, unchallenged by anything but attaining the abundant life offered in Christ. Listen to the words of a few of the songs he's written:

On the title track "Never Looking Back" (makes me think of the old "I Have Decided To Follow Jesus") Delmore acknowledges that he will follow Jesus "Through the doubt, through the change, through the storms that come my way, I will run every day, I will give everything.. never looking back". Compare those lyrics to his earlier songs on previous recordings: "I am so tired, of compromising, I am so tired of lukewarm living, Set me on fire". and "You are my shepherd, and I will follow you, I abandon my will and yield to yours".

Ryan's vocals are, well, throaty. He's got that Dylan/Petty/REM/ fill in the blank thing going on and it works. He also busts out a harmonica here and there, and that is one thing we truly need more of in worship music today!

Jessie Lane sings on four of the tracks, also with great passion. It's obvious that she's spent a lot of time worshiping with Darren Clarke, as she gives two of his songs, "I Believe in You" and "So Amazing" the perfect touch for his catchy melodies.

Speaking of Darren Clarke, although he is not listed as one of the worship leaders, his influence on this album is unmistakable. His guitar work is always tasty, and his production allows the focus to be on the songs rather than a "wall of sound" that would otherwise overwhelm them.

The album also offers a tribute to Five Cities alum, Jeff Searles, covering his "Holy is the Lord". Jeff, where are you?

Two things hurt this album. One is the follow-up syndrome. This album isn't EXACTLY like the first Burn Service album. It's not more of the same. The people in the band change, grow, have new things to say. Secondly is the name "Burn Service". Many will be tempted to attribute the burn to blazing guitars and driving rock. And the burn is really in the heart of the worshipers. This is a band, more than that really, it's a community of sojourners who are not shy about going into town, being lit on fire by God, and having the whole town watch them burn.

Buy this if you want honest intimacy. Buy it if you feel a tug towards that kind of community. Buy it if you, too, have changed in the past year.

Review by John Ausmus