Chris McClarney
Love Never Fails [Kingsway Music/EMI]
When a songwriter is renowned for their humility, which seems to be the spirit that Chris McClarney operates out of, there’s a good thing going. While unpretentious and even unaided by a website of his own, (chrismcclarney.com simply redirects you to a widget on the Kingsway music site) his songs are used in worship across the globe. Praised by voices such as Jeff Deyo (worship leader and former SONICFLOOd vocalist) and Bill Johnson (pastor at Bethel Church in Redding, California), McClarney’s music has been described as refreshing, sincere, and passionate. Lines from some of his songs have provided launching points for others to write songs exploring concepts further.
The writer of the popular worship song “Your Love Never Fails”, Chris McClarney’s music has spread to churches worldwide – but you might not be familiar with his name unless you read the song credits. The original version of “Your Love Never Fails”, found on the EP Introducing Chris McClarney, is soulful and flowing, containing a brilliant groove reminiscent of Sting & The Police.
Love Never Fails isn’t cheap talk. The album really is about the power of divine love (as the cover art makes plain). As a worship arts medium, this album draws the listener into meditation upon God’s steadfast love, and its lyrics vocalize thankfulness and adoration. “Your Love Is Everything” speaks of the healing, cleansing, and filling power of God’s love. “I Need You More” confesses our need for greater and deeper encounters with the Trinity.
Merited indeed for its worshipfulness, Love Never Fails is fun, raw, and skilfully composed. Six original tracks are set amongst gospel-rich covers of greats by Hillsong, Keith Green and Bob Dylan. McClarney’s unique, rich and soulful voice masterfully helms the album’s soundscape. Love Never Fails is easy on the ears but deep in heart.
Brenton Brown
Adoration [Survivor Records]
Coming from a prolific music artist who has been writing worship music for years, many of the songs on Adoration, such as “Holy”, “All Who Are Thristy”, and “Our God Saves” precede the album’s arrival on store shelves. Filled with tunes heard in the worship music of many churches, Adoration contains material that will be familiar to many listeners. Musicians can play along without much difficulty. But played and uniquely styled by their original composer, the songs take on new meaning as the listener gets to know more about the experience and heart of the artist.
Amongst these songs is a fresh new recording of Brenton Brown and Glenn Robertson’s veteran chorus “All Who Are Thirsty”, featuring reverberating slide guitar, cymbal washes, beautiful acoustic countermelodies, and several minutes of Brown’s own spontaneous worship.
Beginning the album, as one becomes immersed in the warm tones and shimmering treble of the first few tracks, the accompanying lyrics are balm to soothe the soul. “Sorrow turns to gladness / when our God is near / you speak light into our darkness / and heal the brokenhearted / wipe away our tears” (“Amazing God”). It is a joyful album that reminds the listener of the hope, wholeness, and power of God.
Worship is not a once-a-week experience or an act reserved for a particular timeframe. Brenton Brown challenges us all with title track “Adoration” as he sings “You have our hearts...now take our lives. Receive our adoration, Jesus lamb of God”. Clearly we are meant to sing songs that resonate with our life experience, testifying to the truth of the songs.
An album that brings new material as well as renewal to older songs, Brown’s plea “come and visit us again” in “All Who Are Thirsty” is symbolic for this song’s re-release. In each new passage through seemingly familiar territory, the Holy Spirit is ready and willing to bring new perspectives and new lessons.
Amber Brooks
Still I Rise [MorningStar Music]
Amber’s debut album, Still I Rise, is passionate, beautiful, and a cry of the heart for one and for many. One will find a love story in the lyrics; a love story about the pursuit of God, knowing not only that He will not disappoint, but that he has already been pursuing us.
The album’s sound is beautifully intense and intensely beautiful. The lyrics communicate an experience with God’s overpowering love. The music boasts a rich diversity of sounds and styles. Piano, guitar and percussion are the staples of this album but Amber’s soaring voice is paired with many creatively textured instruments. Listeners of John Mark McMillan, Mute Math, and Misty Edwards may enjoy some of their musical similarities. Loud and driven moments include the wailing guitars and crashing cymbals that accompany the chorus of “Like You Promised”, the growing wall of sound that comes in like a tidal wave in “Branded”, and album closer “Heavenly Places”. Tight discordant harmonies segue into richer resolved ones as they accompany a farewell to unfulfilment in “To Whom It May Concern”. Intricate rhythm patterns fill “Hallelujah, Still I Rise” and “Vagabonds”.
Out of Amber’s aim to put words to the experience of God’s consuming love come lines like, “I don’t have all the right words to say / to provoke you to want me / any more than you already do” (“Like You Promised”) and “why are you begging him for mercy / when you could be rejoicing? / The love of a Father has brought you home” (Why Are You Weeping”). God is near, she reminds us, and his heart towards us does not grow cold because what we do or do not do. His heart is always set towards relationship and reunion.
(I had the very special opportunity of interviewing Amber about this unique and powerful album. Please see the prior post for the interview.)
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