Louder Than The Music

I started listening to this album before I was given any information about it. Now listening to it again I can't believe I didn't recognise the vocals of Cathy Burton. Burton is featured here along with Jo Petch and Martin Coper on the album produced by Paul Burton.

The press release describes this album as;"This fresh new recording from Grace Church Chichester embodies the passion of the local church in worship with new songs that have been birthed through the local church that deserve a national profile" and in typical Ronseal style this album does just what it says on the tin. Is it ground breaking musically? No. But that isn't what it's about - it is praise and worship in its purest form and in its natural environment. For that reason, it works - it totally works.

Normally I am not one for live albums, there are a few tracks which I adore live, but for the most part I'd rather a studio album or a live DVD. This album however is somehow different; there's something about the atmosphere the live congregation adds to each song that makes me feel they wouldn't work without it.

Each song is beautifully written and filled with passion. Perhaps my favourite lyric comes from I Will Choose and illustrates the beauty perfectly - "I'm laying down my pride filled heart so it won't hold me back".

This album perfectly captures the modern day Christian church as far as I'm concerned. It is filled with passion, it is filled with beautifully written and arranged songs, and with people singing praises. It's not stuffy and irrelevant; it is fresh, vibrant and accessible. Perhaps if more people had this as the soundtrack to their Sunday mornings they would realise how alive the Church really is.

Review by Suzanne Physick

Rating 4 out of 5 Stars
Stand out Tracks
I Will Choose
Redeemer
You Are