Artist:
Title:
Saving Grace
Type:
Album
Released:
30 Aug 2009 (US), 08 Aug 2010 (UK)
LTTM Rating:
Your Rating:
Review
The New Wine conference has been running in the UK for 20 years now and and after countless classic live albums recorded at the event the organisers decided that for the first time they would record a studio album, featuring the musicians and worship leaders that make up the annual soundtrack.
Described as an "intimate worship encounter for any listener", there is quite an enjoyable mixture of tones among this set of 12 songs. 'None Like You' is a great uptempo song with a strong beat. Then there is 'Singing Hallelujah' and 'You Are Here' which are quieter, but still manage...
Read More The New Wine conference has been running in the UK for 20 years now and and after countless classic live albums recorded at the event the organisers decided that for the first time they would record a studio album, featuring the musicians and worship leaders that make up the annual soundtrack.
Described as an "intimate worship encounter for any listener", there is quite an enjoyable mixture of tones among this set of 12 songs. 'None Like You' is a great uptempo song with a strong beat. Then there is 'Singing Hallelujah' and 'You Are Here' which are quieter, but still manage to get your foot tapping with some good guitar sounds.
The album features a host of worship leaders and songwriters which I have to confess I am not overly familiar with. It's a good album to introduce a few new names to the sometimes limited circle of big name Christian song writers, but it does take away some of the consistency of the album. Almost every song seems to have a different vocalist, and in both 'All Power' and 'Bones' there is a sudden mid-song switch from male to female lead vocals which is so sudden and unexpected that the contrast between the voices feels like an interruption. The difference just sounds a little too harsh for my liking.
But there are a number of songs that really stand out for their strength. 'The Way That You Father Me' has a simple melody but is very striking and easy to sing along to. 'Saving Grace' is a superb title track with great vocals, but my favourite is probably 'Love Came Down' with its fantastic chorus: "We will tell the story, we will sing the song, the promise of salvation, justice for all. The rain of our God, love come down", it has a similar sound to Delirious?, apart from a slightly husky sounding male vocalist!
'Rescuer' is another song with a strong chorus, "You're mighty and strong to save, Rescuer" although the vocals are a little too dominant over the music for my taste. 'Wait For You' has some simple keys, a funky drum beat intro and takes a while to really get going, but once it does it's well worth the wait.
Overall this is an album I could happily listen to, with the drums, keys and guitars all standing out well at different points. I think trying to cram so many different vocalists, albeit ones who are clearly exceptionally talented, on to one album is the only downfall. But as an overview of the New Wine musicians, that may not matter to most people.
The mixture of songs mean there are some that would fit well in a church setting and others that are just good to listen to at home. A great combination.
Buy the CD here.
Review by Dave Wood
LTTM Rating 3.5 out of 5 Stars
Stand out tracks
Love Came Down
None Like You
Saving Grace
