David Crowder* Band: Church Music
Posted: September 22nd, 2009 | Author: Mike Mahoney | Filed under: David Crowder Band | Tags: AD, alastair vance, Cd review, church music, conner byrd, crowder, joel klampert, mike mahoney, sixpence records | 14 Comments »
Purchase David Crowder* Band: Church Music 
David Crowder* Band official site
| SYNOPSIS | |
| Joel: Let me start with this; I am a huge Crowder fan. Not only do I have every one of their CD’s (including the rare Pour Over Me) but my favorite CD’s from them are not even the popular ones. When I first listened to this CD I didn’t know what to make of it. It was like taking Sunsets and Sushi and throwing it in a blender with Remedy. I am not quite certain it works at times, but what you are left with is a very cool sound. I do a ton of Crowder’s stuff in church so when I heard title of the CD I was really excited. Sadly though I walked away with disappointment on that front because unlike its title, there is not much on here that could be done in a service. There are some AMAZING tracks on this CD that are a real departure from typical Crowder, and they will floor you. |
|
| Conner: What Crowder has given us this time around is another masterpiece that shows what happens when you take a concept and create a CD around it. Sure there are songs on here that are incredible but to me, this is a CD that must be soaked in from start to finish. I haven’t had a CD speak to me like this has, there is a rhythm to Church Music that took a few listens to appreciate. We begin with this tension of the proximity of God theme that sort of climaxes at The Veil and then very un-Crowderesque sits with 2 covers that if you didn’t know any better could be original tunes! What follows is a response in celebration calling out to dance and rejoice and Bubba Crowder knows how to celebrate! Stylistically, this project pushes forward as well. There’s a ton of loops, triggers, and ambient sounds. The acoustic has been traded in for the synth. There’s even a bit of autotone thrown in! And it all flows! I don’t believe there is another CD in the same ballpark as this out right now! |
|
| Mike: The first time through listening to this CD, I knew it was a game-changer. Disclosure: I am a DC*B junkie of sorts. But this is not your father’s DC*B CD. The title seems a little tongue-in-cheek at first. This isn’t “Sunday Morning” music, at least not much of it. And the band’s tendency for electronica, loops and plugins make it not so “church-friendly.” But Crowder has a unique sense of irony, and there’s no doubt that some of these tunes will bring you to a personal point of contact with the Almighty. And isn’t that what “church” should be about? | |
| Al: I’m relatively new to Crowder’s music. My favourite Crowder Band tracks prior to the release Church Music are Here Is Our King (A Collision), O Praise Him (Illuminate), Come Thou Fount (All I Can Say) and Never Let Go (Remedy).There are some great songs on this album, and the song transitions are fantastic and take the listener on a journey. A lot of churches that have used Crowder’s music in the past will probably have used loops. This won’t change. In fact, I think it’s got a little more insane.
For those unfamiliar with Crowder, the his music has heavy electronic and dance influences. It’s also not a record that tries to fit in with other CCM offerings. It seems they push the boundaries of modern worship to the limit that current technology allows.For an album that’s called Church Music, probably a joke on Crowder’s part, there’s not many songs here you’ll be able to pull out, play and have your congregation sing along to. For most it would sound a little like this old folk’s choir singing hip-hop songs. The album is growing on me with each listen. I imagine The David Crowder Band fan base will absolutely probably love it. You know, I can’t help thinking what a good replacement he’d make for that guy on Yo Gabba Gabba. I see him now with Orange hair, dancing around singing Oh Happiness! Oh, what have they changed the “sloppy wet kiss” lyric to in How He Loves? I can’t work it out – “unforseen kiss”? Everyone is recording this song right now. Do they all change the lyric? |
|
| BOTTOM LINE | |
Joel: On first few listens I was actually dissatisfied with the CD, but after pouring into I am enjoying it more and more. One of the songs I’m still debating on is “How He loves”. Seems like this song is becoming the new “Mighty to Save” or “Revelation Song.” Everybody is doing it, but nobody is bringing anything new to the table with it. Overall a great CD that is well worth multiple listens. Rating:   |
|
Conner: THE MOST PROGRESSIVE THOUGHTFUL WORSHIP PROJECT. period. I said it. Easily since say…2005  Seriously, those who have whined and complained after A Collision can shush all your jibba jabba. Again, pushing the envelope without losing their identity, I believe we’re getting another lane changing CD as Illuminate was back in 03.I think the only drawback here is that the mainstream church isn’t ready for this music. It’s clear that the CDs title is a very statement to that fact, a tongue-in-cheek statement to what is truly defined as “church” music. Nonetheless this CD is sheer greatness. Rating: |
|
Mike: A very listenable album to be sure. There are some songs that put a bounce in your step (God Almighty, Dance) and others that are more pensive (Eastern Hymn.) I love the cover of “How He Loves.” As I said, this is a game-changer. The only similarity to previous DC*B offerings is that it keeps pushing back boundaries. I can’t wait to hear some of these songs live.Rating:  |
|
| Al: The album is growing on me, but the songs have yet to grow to same status as my older Crowder favourites. I don’t know if they ever will. This is probably the longest review I’ve written in a while but there is just so much to say about it. Conner will be proud of me. Rating: |
|
| MUST HAVE SONGS | |
Joel:
|
|
Conner:
|
|
Mike:
|
|
Al:
|
|
| SONGS FOR CHURCH | |
Joel:
|
|
Conner: I’m convinced that while these songs in all their glory are spectacular that pulling them off stripped down is possible and will get right on it!
|
|
Mike: This is a little harder to nail. Pulling off Crowder tunes takes some effort, and these are no different. To do most of these songs effectively will take a band familiar with loops. Most of these are not going to be easily stripped down. That said:
|
|
Al:
|
|
The Joint gives Church Music by David Crowder Band Overall Rating:
[...] you buy the CD! The Joint brings you another multiple viewpoint review of this fantastic record. Check it out here. DONT FORGET TO ADD THE JOINT TO YOUR FAVORITE RSS [...]
LOVE the honest and grassroots take on this. I’m eager to hear it all myself now.
(Really like the format of this review – with the list of songs at the end.)
[...] The Joint Review.com (yup we went pro on you and made our own site!) and I highly recommend you check it out. Shucks just go buy the CD and then read the review while you dig [...]
[...] that current technology allows. – Alastair Vance See the full review over at the spanking new Joint Review web [...]
Wow. Like these reviews were written by real people who actually play and listen to Crowder. I have now found my CD review site.
Love the review guys. Don’t let churches off the hook so easy by saying many of the songs can’t be played in their fullness- loops and all. We need churches pushes the limits musically. I’d love to hear who is trying the songs in worship (not stripped down versions).
I go to a Harvest Bible Chapel and have already been talking with our Worship Pastor about the new CD (I haven’t got my copy yet, its in the mail, but I’ve listened to what I can on line). We’ve done a bunch of Crowder before and used some synths to pull of the ambient stuff. We are going to use upgrade and start using loops for some of the new stuff. Churches need to contstantly be looking at their talent/art offering to the Lord. The last generation got stuck on the Organ, are we going to get stuck on the acoustic guitar? God wants a new song and sometimes that means new ways of expressing music. We cannnot get lazy in offering praise to our Lord.
[...] out TheJointReview.com for a thorough [...]
PREACH IT FOLKS! Haha. I’ve got to say, your comments are wildly encouraging. I don’t think anyone on the panel would argue with you and it’s great to hear you speak up and say these things. The work has to be done in the local church and hearing your words gives us hope. Thanks.
Excellent reviews fellas! I’ve given it one listen and couldn’t put into words exactly what I was feeling after hearing it…you guys have summed it all up perfectly.
And I might quite possibly be the only person in the online worship community who prefers the Lyric change DCB made to “How He Loves”…I know crazy right?
Great stuff fellas!
Thanks everybody for the great comments…
Let me say that I think most of these songs can be done in their fullness.
Do they all have their place in a worship service? I guess the really depends on your church.
Some of the CD’s reviewed will not be “worship” CD’s and so they will be reviewed sonically only.
Others are worship CD’s and can be reviewed sonically, theologically and if we can or should do them in church.
IF you have a good band and are pushing the limits with loops etc GO FOR IT! push the limits. God wants us to keep moving forward.
But….If you are in the majority of the churches in the US (60% of US churches have 60 people or less) then most likely you have one musician. Not because you don’t want to push it, but cause you can’t.
For those guys. Try to push it, but more important…Don’t be afraid of music with tons of stuff in it and 40 guitar players on the CD. We at the joint will let you know if it’s doable with just you and a guitar.
“Unforseen Kiss” actually makes more theological sense than “sloppy wet kiss.” I’ll admit that the old lyric had shock value- we’re talking about Heaven meeting earth. I think it suggests that heaven is here, but most people don’t see it- or heaven has a way of sneaking up on you. Or that heaven will come suddenly like a thief in the night. Crowder has my complete support on this one. I had nothing against the old, I just think that the change was a good one.
I love this CD by DC*B. They are out there pushing the limits of their art again! Its awesome! One of my favorite songs is “How He Loves”. We have sung this song at my church already several times and it is very moving. It is also on the new WOW Hits 2010 CD, which is also amazing! To check out that CD go to this site! http://www.wowilovechristianmusic.com/
Doesn’t the guitar work in God Almighty remind you of 80′s Stryper. DC*B + Stryper For The Win!!