REVIEW

Hillsong Live - This Is Our God
Integrity Music

If you're a part of the American church, you probably know who the Hillsong folks are. Now, back in the day, they were the biggest deal in worship music. Their album output is amazing...there for awhile, it seemed like there was a giant Hillsong CD machine popping them out once every ten months.

Then, two or three years ago, most of the worship world woke up to United. The powerful, seperate musical entity birthed in Hillsong Church's student ministry. And that's when it got crazy.

As the United songs became more popular, more of them started showing up on records by Hillsong proper. And, of course, debate ensued. (Which version of "Salvation Is Here" is better? Why did they kill that guitar riff? That sort of thing.)

Well, Hillsong's new record is out (along with a companion DVD) and its causing quite a stir. Normally in CD reviews, I tend to approach them very systematically. But for this review, I'm just gonna' hit the high points - the things that stand out to me about this record.

STICKING WITH WHAT WORKS
This sounds like a United record. Hillsong's frontwoman Darlene Z. is in the mix, but not near as much as in previous records. This is a Joel Houston/Brooke Fraser affair. And it works, big time. I think the United team are bringing a nice dynamic approach to the Hillsong catalog - lots of atmosphere, relatively easy-to-follow arrangements and a dash of rock and roll.

PET SOUNDS
While there's lots of trademark stuff here, there's also some new territory. The most noticeable thing is the use of toms. Previous Hillsong records have been relatively straight-ahead projects, but This Is Our God experiments with tom-drumming in a way that's creative and yet still stays away from knocking off Coldplay. The vocals are really well done, too. Previous Hillsong records have felt a little too crowded for me - five or six singers, giant choir, crowd mics, etc. All of those things are there again this go 'round, but I feel like the record is mixed to give a pretty intimate feel to the melodies.

I'm also glad that the United Rhodes isn't all up in my face. United records are well-known for their liberal use of a Rhodes keyboard/electric piano organ patch. It's a cool sound...but a little predictable. It's still there in the new record, but it's used way more thoughtfully and simply, which really makes skillful use of it's tone.

The one thing that keeps sticking around is high, tremolo/delay lines. United has loved this sound for awhile and it's on the Hillsong stage, too. Imagine three or four guitar tracks...and then this little single note warble running throughout the song. Like the Rhodes and organ, it's cool, but it's getting less cool the more I hear it.

The production quality of this record feels way more "thought out." Instead of just blistering through tracks, we get some real subtle arrangement embellishments. The vocals and melodies are outstanding and I think they've got some musical backing just as amazing.

SAYING SOMETHING
I really like the lyrical direction of this record. This Is Our God leaves behind some Hillsong's name it-claim it, I've-got-the-victr'y approaches. There's also not a lot of United's trademark we're-gonna-start-a-revolution, fire-storm-rain, come-on-get-up-shake-your-booty themes either. These songs are God-focused prayers, many of them focusing on placing our trust in God in our most difficult times.

WHO'LL DO IT?
That's always the question, huh? Can these songs be done? Can your church team pull them off? Who knows? So far, I've got three tunes marked for consideration - the nice jangle of "Run" would be a nice opening groove for worship; Brooke Fraser "Desert Song" feels pretty welcoming; and "Healer" is something of a powerhouse. (Although I think songs about healing often require a little bit of scriptural background...just to get our minds right.) I'm sure there are other tunes that are accessible and available to teams. So far, those are the three that feel the best for my team.

This Is Our God is really one of the best Hillsong releases we've heard in a long, long time. I think you'll love it.