Glory Revealed: The Word of God In Worship
(Various Artists)
Album length: 10 tracks: 33 minutes, 43 seconds Street Date: March 6, 2007
In 2000, a series of worship projects called City On A Hill was launched, joining together an A-list
selection of Christian pop artists who collaborated to create a unified thematic album. Three installments
of the City albums were produced, including a Christmas project, before its finale with City On A Hill: The Gathering
in 2003. Now nearly four years later, City alumnus Mac Powell (of Third Day) and author/minister David Nasser
have joined forces to create a new project that joins artists together once again, this time to present an album of music inspired by scripture,
titled Glory Revealed: The Word of God In Worship.
Musically, Glory Revealed bears a similar feel as the City On A Hill projects, almost making the record seem
like an extension of those ventures. However, the biggest distinction is that the fingerprints of producers Marc Byrd and Steve Hindalong aren't anywhere to be
found on Glory Revealed. Instead, this record is solely the brainchild of Powell and Nasser, helping it differ enough
to stand on its own as an entirely separate entity. Trevor Morgan's "He Will Rejoice" earns the lead off spot, bearing a folk flavored acoustic song that even slightly harkens back
to the days of the legendary Rich Mullins. One of the standout tracks follows, "By His Wounds," if not solely because of the talent
assembled together in just one song. Powell kicks off the track and is soon joined by Steven Curtis Chapman, Brian Littrell and
Casting Crown's Mark Hall. With such great vocalists collected on one track, however, it's a stark contrast when Hall's straining vocal style
enters the mix of such naturalists as Powell, Chapman, and Littrell. Hall may have fared better leading a track by himself.
"Waters Gone By" is a sizable stylistic departure from Shawn Lewis' usual outfit, Hyper Static Union. The folk fashion of the song
is a surprising fit for the vocalist. David Crowder makes a welcomed appearance on the album with "To The Only God," teaming
with worship duo Shane & Shane, who are no strangers to the folk groundwork for the album. Crowder's vocals carry the song well, but the track
loses a bit of strength when the Shanes timidly deliver their verses in the form of an almost hesitant whisper. Candi Pearson-Shelton's
title track offers a vocal style that's a bit of a marriage between the qualities of Plumb's and Nichole Nordeman's for a familiar yet
unique result. Josh Bates' "Altar Of God" is one of the soloist's most unique vocal recordings, even bearing a slight resemblance
to Chicago's Peter Cetera along the way. The harmonica seasonings on the acoustic track is also a nice touch.
CCM staple Michael W. Smith leads "Come, Worship The King," with Shane & Shane appearing again to back up and more so accompany
Smith this time around. As opposed to their appearance with Crowder, this is Smith's show, so the Shanes put more energy into their
vocals to compliment Smith's. In the end, "Come, Worship The King" is one of the stronger tracks on the record. Starfield's
Tim Neufield carries "Who Is Like You," sounding a bit like Steven Curtis, but more youthful and without as much control and restrain as the veteran.
"Restore To Me" teams Mac Powell with Candi Pearson-Shelton, but the presence of the other members of Third Day that usually accompanies
Powell is distinctly missed. Glory Revealed closes with Brian Littrell's "You Alone," a modest and subtle way to end
the ten-song project.
In the end, Glory Revealed: The Word of God In Worship is a good modern worship collaborative effort that falls short
of greatness due to a short running time (33 minutes) and the lack of any songs that can reach epic proportions like City On A Hill's
"God Of Wonders." The entire record bears a banjo-driven acoustic folk styling that unifies the project but may seem a bit overused
by the close of the album. But despite its occasional shortcomings, Glory Revealed: The Word of God In Worship is still
one of the better worship albums you'll find today as it breaks out of much of the sameness that plagues the genre today. For fans
of previous projects like the City collections, or any of the included artists, Glory Revealed: The Word of God In Worship is well worth a listen.
- Review date: 3/3/07, written by John DiBiase
Record Label: Reunion Records
Album length: 10 tracks: 33 minutes, 43 seconds
Street Date: March 6, 2007
Buy It:Amazon.com
He Will Rejoice – Trevor Morgan
By His Wounds – Mac Powell, Steven Curtis Chapman, Brian Littrell and Mark Hall
Waters Gone By – Shawn Lewis
To The Only God – David Crowder and Shane & Shane
Glory Revealed – Candi Pearson-Shelton
Altar Of God – Josh Bates
Come, Worship The King – Michael W. Smith with Shane & Shane
Who Is Like You – Tim Neufeld
Restore To Me – Mac Powell and Candi Pearson-Shelton
Record Label: Reunion Records
