Rush of Fools has returned to the music scene with their fourth studio album, Carry Us Now. Moving more in the direction of a worship project than previous releases, the album pulls most of its lyrics from hymnodic sources and concepts.

The album opens with "Take Me Over," a laid back song which is primarily sourced from works such as Peace like a River. Although one of the stronger tracks on the album, it doesn't particularly stand out, which is disappointing. The album moves in a slower pace with "Held in Your Hands," reminiscent of the band's earlier works. Unfortunately, it also fails to live up to what was previously defined in years past. "Power in the Blood" is a strong comeback, however, featured halfway through the album's track list. It bears the influence of bands such as Rend Collective. The upbeat redux of the well-known gospel hymn is both catchy and passionate, enabling it to stand alone as a radio single. "My Heart Cries Out" and "In All Things" are similar in that they come across as run-of-the-mill worship songs. Both are easily forgettable and feel melodically and lyrically forced ("who is like our God, in all things You are good … Jesus, who can compare to You?"), with average-quality clichéd lines simply being repeated over and over again.

Thankfully, Carry Us Now picks up as it nears the finish line. "God of My Salvation," a slower song, is more in tune with Rush of Fools' self-titled debut album. It feels as though it was passionately crafted, and although simple in nature, it has that magical "something special," characterizing it as a stand-out song.

The album closes with an acoustic version of "Undo," their signature song, making its first appearance since Rush of Fools' 2007 self-titled debut. Initially showing up as the first track on the first album, one is left to wonder if this song, now placed as the last track, represents a bookend signifying the end of a chapter. Regardless, it is an exceptional piece and a great way to close out the album.

In addition to the album's awkwardly paced high-low tempo, the greatest weakness is found within its generic sound and melodic structures. As with so many CCM artists today, their music has been forced under a blanket of uniformity. Judging by Rush of Fools' earlier releases, the band is talented enough to exceed Carry Us Now's quality. In short, the album is average at best, but the band is better than that.

If you're seeking a light and easy-going worship album, you'll most likely enjoy Carry Us Now. The album isn't bad, nor is it poorly created, but almost every song on this album carries a "been there, done that" vibe. If Rush of Fools hopes to continue on, they'll need to expand and grow their sound with more original work.