Review

May I just say, whoa, #42... Where does the time go? Wasn't it just yesterday that #12 came out? I want to make a point about the Touching the Father's Heart series in a moment. The specifics on this album are these: Worship leaders Brent Helming (the big name) and Dan Whiteman and Jan L'Ecuyer (the newcomers) are featured in a recording done at North Coast Calvary Chapel in Carlsbad, California. Brent wrote three songs, Dan and Jan each penned two. The album also has the requisite Scott Underwood song, which, I believe, is now written into the contract for each new release :).

As is the case with most albums, I really need to listen to it several times to start to feel it. Realizing that Godly men and women have poured their hearts and souls into what I am listening to, I know it's only fair to really try to understand what they are singing about. I have to confess that I have, too often, just dismissed out of hand some albums because they didn't 'grab me right off'. Or maybe I've decided that I'm 'in another place' with my life than what's going on in an album. This is neither respectful to the musicians nor objective to you, the reader and music consumer.

On my first couple of listens, I honestly thought there was nothing new here. I drew a comparison in my mind with lyrics and themes from other albums I had recently heard. I contrasted the 'on my knees before you, lift me up and bring revival' heart cries that are so evident in the UK, Canada and Australia (is it a British Empire revival?) with this collection of songs telling of who God is and what He has done. My personal leaning is toward the former, but the latter has its place as well. All things in balance would be the key here.

It wasn't until I sat down to really devour the album, with lyrics and liner notes in hand, that I started to get it. Even as I write this, I am hearing it again in a fresh way. What I first thought sounded random I now see as structured. What didn't seem to meet me where I was has succeeded in drawing me to where it is, and I like it! 'Unspoken Truth' is very much an album of psalms. The songs sing of many of the attributes of God. Throughout we hear how great God is, that He is the Creator, that there is no one like Him, that He is Savior and beautiful, that He is worthy of our praise, and so on.

These are timeless themes, done and redone many times in the history of the Church. Is it redundant? Only if you think once is enough. Psalm 48: says 'Great is the Lord, and most worthy of praise'. Psalm 86:10 reads 'For you are great and do marvelous deeds'. Do a little word search and compare Psalms 95, 96, 99, 104, 135, 145 and 147. They all have a similar theme. If King David felt it OK to restate the greatness of God, why would we think any different.

Brent Helming is, as usual, brilliant in his songwriting and singing, but the two Dan Whiteman songs are incredible! 'Lord Come to Me' is a song that cries out to the Lord to 'fall on me now... and fill this broken heart'. Musically it starts with a droning guitar, bass and cymbals and Dan's very throaty vocals. It slowly builds to a driving beat. 'You're Where My Heart is Satisfied' has a very cool intro, with guitar, keyboards, then drums and bass, then again Dan's voice. The lyrics are straight from the heart, too. '... when I'm with you I'm home, so as I come to know you more, Lord grip my heart and make it Yours'.

Jan L'Ecuyer, who is featured on 'An Evening of Live Worship' from the Nashville Vineyard, also displays incredible vocals and songwriting. She sings the title track; Scott Underwood's 'Unspoken Truth'; and her own 'God of All' and 'Captivating Love'. The only drawback to her songs is that she has a style of singing that may not be easily achieved in congregational worship on Sunday morning.

This album may not yield many songs for the congregation, but it does reach out and touch you.

An unusual little fact that I discovered while reading the lyrics is that, in all the songs, the name of Jesus is mentioned only one time. How alarming is that?! Well, after I thought about it for a moment, I don't think it's too ridiculous. God, the Father and Creator, is the focus here, not the exclusion of the Son. There are references to Lord and Savior, and one song is titled 'The Cross of Christ'. The Spirit of the Living God is apparent throughout the recording. These are songs that can reach several mindsets. Perhaps it was planned like this. Perhaps the producer wanted to have an album that could minister to the pre-Christian as well as the Christian. Perhaps, in it's own way, this album is as much on the cutting edge of worship music as Touching the Father's Heart #1 was way back in 1989.

Remember the worship landscape back then? This series began with the intent of bringing intimate worship songs to a body of believers that needed new ways to express their love to God. Look where we've come to. During the past 12 years many others, influenced by these songs, have added their own unique gifts and we've been the beneficiary of whole movements: Hillsongs, Delirious and Redman, Passion, and on and on. What once were songs by believers and for believers are now songs by sojourners for anyone on a journey to the truth. It's exciting that our paradigms can be jostled. We need that. What's to become of the 'Touching the Father's Heart' series now? Maybe a change is already underway, because that's what IS touching the Father's heart.

Review by John Ausmus