Review

Make a note: The bar has just been raised my friends. Worship leaders, Brenton Brown, Nigel Briggs, Wendy O'Connell, and others showcase a British Rock Worship masterpiece that instantly nudges the standard a few notches higher for those who thought they knew what to expect from a post-modern Vineyard Worship album. Following the legacy inspired by “Winds of Worship 12,” “Hungry,” “Surrender” and “I Love Your Presence,” the latest release from Vineyard Music UK, “Holy” is a sign of better things to come. The British songwriters have established themselves as the Gold Standard by which all other Vineyard releases are measured.

As you might expect, the songs here are a cut above in every way. From the opening cut “Thank You For The Cross” to the final chorus of “So Near”, this is one CD that you will not grow tired of hearing for a long, long time. Standout tracks are difficult to list, as they are all excellent and memorable. But, if pressed, I would have to list “Shine,” “Let My Life Be Like A Love Song,” and “Awesome God (Your Voice),” among my favorite cuts here. The style and tone are decidedly in the “Brit Rock” category, with progressive nods to sampling and full electric guitar solos dappled throughout the disc.

While the overall musical landscape here may appear more “rocky” than previous UK Vineyard releases, the sense of worship here is never lost in the distortion. If anything, the songs here feel more focused and mature than ever, with a more natural musical progression to follow the genius of “Hungry” and “Surrender.” “Holy” explores new territory and succeeds on multiple levels. The songwriters and worship leaders on “Holy” are responsible for past greats such as “Humble King”, “Hungry”, “Your Name Is Holy”, and “Lord Reign In Me” and the good news is, they haven’t run out of fresh songs just yet….and they’re not resting on the laurels of the past either.

“Holy” ups the ante with a batch of truly original songs that have the sound and fury of something new and totally unlike what has come before. It has the sound of a revolution, a renewal like a fresh breath of pure oxygen. Here’s hoping there’s more where this came from.

Review by Keith Giles