Get Your Music on Amazon!
Get Your Music on Amazon!

JFH Music Review


Matt Redman, Sing Like Never Before: The Essential Collection
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

Matt Redman
Sing Like Never Before: The Essential Collection



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 15 tracks: 72 minutes, 11 seconds
Street Date: November 19, 2012


The songs of Matt Redman have been sung in Sunday morning worship services and small group Bible studies for more than ten years now, but few of the singers could probably tell you who wrote the song they are singing. This, to a worshiper like Redman, who has made a career choice of lifting up the Lord, is most likely okay.

An Englishman, Redman's songs were first introduced to American audiences (and song books) via a cover of "The Heart Of Worship" on the first Sonicflood album back in the late 90's. Since then, "Better Is One Day", "Blessed Be Your Name" and "You Never Let Go" have taken up permanent residence in worship services. Sing Like Never Before: The Essential Collection offers new (and mostly improved) versions of some of Redman's best loved songs, and a few new offerings.

Of the updated versions and new material, "Better Is One Day" fairs the best, getting a rework that drops the familiar drum pattern that traditionally opened the tune and adds some Coldplay-esque strings and vocal patterns. "Our God" (co-written with Chris Tomlin) also fairs well, with Redman dropping the somewhat cheesy synths of the Tomlin version and emphasizing the lead guitar and driving beat. New song "Love So High" suffers from a sameness of Passion conference songs that can at times be interchangeable. And, it is hard to criticize such a well meaning song as "Twenty Seven Million," which admirably addresses the horrific crime of human trafficking, but as a stand-alone song it comes off about as well as other well-meaning "awareness songs" like "We Are The World" or "Do They Know It's Christmas" did back in the 80's.

What is unfortunate about re-recording a few classic songs is that the original versions of other well-known tunes sound a bit dated and boring by comparison. This is the case with "Blessed Be Your Name," which is an undeniably powerful song, but suffers in the live version offered on this collection. This song has fared better in covers by Tree63 and the Newsboys. Likewise, "The Heart Of Worship" was actually much better done by Sonicflood back on their first album.

This collection's best moment is the opening track "10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord)" from which the record gets its title. With hints of famous English hymns like "Amazing Grace," "Come Thou Fount" and the recent "How Deep The Father's Love For Us," "10,000 Reasons" resonates with its choir-like background vocals and uplifting refrain. It's another career highlight from Redman, and a wonderful addition to the hymnal book.

Sing Like Never Before: The Essential Collection is, in the end, a mixed effort, offering great updates of well-loved songs on one hand, and uninspiring versions of great songs on the other. Redman and his record company will no doubt continue to offer greatest hits collections; in the future, perhaps a complete rework of all his best songs might be the ideal direction to go in.

- Review date: 11/18/12, written by Tincan Caldwell of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Listen to the debut EP from the band Hopeful.!

 

. Record Label: sixpstepsrecords
. Album length: 15 tracks: 72 minutes, 11 seconds
. Street Date: November 19, 2012
. Buy It: iTunes
. Buy It: AmazonMP3
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) [Radio Version] (4:16)
  2. Our God (New Recording) (4:25)
  3. Better Is One Day (New Recording) (4:50)
  4. You Never Let Go (4:37)
  5. Never Once (4:00)
  6. Love So High (New Recording) (4:24)
  7. You Alone Can Rescue (4:46)
  8. The Heart of Worship (5:18)
  9. Blessed Be Your Name (5:48)
  10. Lord, Let Your Glory Fall (4:44)
  11. Nothing But the Blood (6:31)
  12. The Father's Song (3:57)
  13. Once Again (4:59)
  14. Dancing Generation (5:09)
  15. Twenty Seven Million (4:27)

 

Leave a Comment


 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 


(JFH Sponsor Spot)

 

 

                 
Listen to the debut EP from the band Hopeful.!

Search JFH




This Tuesday, March 26, 2024
ALBUMS
Brandon Lake Apple Music Nashville Sessions - EP [Provident]

This Thursday, March 28, 2024
ALBUMS
David And Nicole Binion The Revelation Of Jesus - EP [Integrity]
The Rocky Valentines Erase [Velvet Blue/Tooth & Nail]

This Friday, March 29, 2024
ALBUMS
Grungepunks The Fall Blues EP [Charon Collective]
Meadows Familiar with Pain [Facedown]

SINGLES
Joe L. Barnes Altar - Single [RCAI]
iNTELLECT It Ain’t My Fault - Single [Polished Arrow]
Spoken Worth Holy Week - Double Single (independent)
Gileah Taylor Summer Jubilee - Single [Velvet Blue]

VINYL
Battlecross Pursuit of Honor (Blood Moon Vinyl) [Back Breaker]
Battlecross Rise To Power (Silver Bullet Power Vinyl) [Back Breaker]
Battlecross War of Will (Amber Wave Vinyl) [Back Breaker]

Next Friday, April 5, 2024
ALBUMS
EmanuelDaProphet Fab5 [Capitol CMG]
Me'Kayla Prelude - EP [Motown Gospel/Capitol CMG]
We Are Messengers Where the Joy is [Curb]


For all release dates, click here!
 



Listen to the new album from Trey Tate!




Listen to the new Album From Tim Juillet!

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images