Brenton Brown: Introducing…
Posted: September 28th, 2009 | Author: Alastair | Filed under: Brenton Brown | Tags: alastair vance, Brenton Brown, Cd review, conner byrd, joel klampert, mike mahoney, Review, the joint, the joint review, worship blog | 4 Comments »
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Artist official site
| SYNOPSIS | |
| KLAMPERT: Introducing Brenton Brown? Hmmm. Well I guess that makes sense. Normally this type of CD would be called “greatest hits” but I think they were trying for a nice way to say: “Hey you know all those songs you like in church?….Get a clue BRENTON BROWN WROTE THEM!” That was too long of a title though. A great CD with great classics from Brenton. You have to love this stuff. The man is a great songwriter for congregational worship. But much like Matt Maher other artists have made his music famous. This may be an attempt to build a brand around browns name and try to convince people to check out his work NOT on a Lincoln brewster CD. The 2 new songs are good, but to a guy who has loved brenton’s work for a long time they seem a bit out of place with such iconic worship songs. I LOVE Brenton doing Praise is Rising (co-written by Paul Baloche) even more than Paul doing it. As far as everlasting God is concerned I think Brewster ruined it. I love brenton’s version. And if you can find it being it’s pretty rare, Matt Redman does a great version of it as well. |
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| BYRD: Its pretty obvious to worship leaders that having a CD of Brenton Brown’s called “Introducing” is wickedly comical. BUT it’s well due for those not aware of the songwriter behind the songs or those who have missed a few New Song Cafe episodes. Brenton is a pillar in worship communities for his songs as evidenced by those who have released his work: Chris Tomlin, Lincoln Brewster, and Paul Baloche to name a few!
With only 6 tracks we get a mix of old, current, and new to give fans and newcomers a taste of what Brenton Brown’s all about. You’re sure to recognize a few and hopefully gain a new favorite or two in the process. No matter how comical I feel about “Introducing” Brenton and that he even has a press kit, this isn’t a CD to take lightly. There are songs written out of life experiences that respond to God through heartache and celebration. Brenton also helps evoke an atmosphere of worship even through a studio recording. Praise God. |
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| MAHONEY: The press kit on this album calls Brenton Brown “…the most popular worship leader you’ve never heard of.” That could certainly be possible for those who think Lincoln Brewster penned “Everlasting God.” But this South African worship leader has been quietly cranking out popular worship tunes over the past few years. Introducing Brenton Brown gives him the opportunity to present some of his own popular songs, in the way that he likes to play them.This EP four of his more popular songs, plus two brand-new tunes. The difficulty with that mix is that you’re almost automatically drawn to the older songs, like comfort food on a chilly night. But the two new songs certainly add to the album, and have the potential to become popular in their own right. | |
| VANCE: Introducing? What? Brenton is not a new artist, nor are most of these songs new! Why name the album “Introducing Brenton Brown” then? It’s more like a “Greatest Hits” album and when I say “Greatest” I mean it. The album contains 6 songs, 2 of which are new while the remaining 4 are probably Brenton’s best known and best loved songs. Even though I’ve been singing some of these for years, they are still classics. After hearing this record I might even resurrect a couple of them in church.I have not really taken to the new songs yet. They may grow on me in time, but for now I’m too occupied with re-listening to the older classics. In saying that, Adoration is great, and the Amazing God melody is catchy. I do have a mental block against songs that use the word ‘Amazing’ – I find it akin to saying ‘God you are cool’ in a worship song. | |
| BOTTOM LINE | |
KLAMPERT: Bottom line doesn’t get more simple than this If you love Brenton you need this CD because there are two songs on it you don’t have. If you didn’t realize Brenton wrote all those songs you love you need this CD as well because his versions, to me, are brilliant! Rating:   |
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| BYRD: Whether it’s the uncanny nature of how the new single Adoration makes you singalong on the first listen or the rebooted classics that’s one of my favorite of all time: All Who Are Thirsty, there really is some substance in this little EP. As a fan of Lincoln’s Everlasting God (and not of Tomlin’s) I totally forgot that Brenton even released that song. A testament to his songwriting is that it feels and almost means something uniquely different slowed down than how Lincoln pulls it off. The only real drag here is Lord Reign in Me. This one falls so flat in my book that I forced myself a second listen to see if I really had that much disdain for it…I do. Thankfully, he brought in some Edge with Hosanna to fill out the EP! WOOHOO! You simply need this CD if you don’t have these songs! Rating: |
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| MAHONEY: Brown’s take on his own classics serves a reminder of why churches should be doing these songs. It’s great to see such a talented artist ”take back” his own songs. Rating: |
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| VANCE: A greatest hits album from Brenton Brown. If you haven’t used these songs before in church this would be a great album to buy. Rating: |
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| MUST HAVE SONGS | |
KLAMPERT:
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| BYRD: All who are Thirsty hands down is 1 of my all time favorites and done so great here. Adoration, Praise is Rising (Hosanna.) |
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| MAHONEY: Everlasting God, All Who Are Thirsty, Adoration. |
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| VANCE: Adoration, Everlasting God, Lord Reign In Me, All Who Are Thirsty, Praise Is Rising (Hosanna). |
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| SONGS FOR CHURCH | |
| KLAMPERT: Brenton writes for the church. He isn’t doing songs that would take 300 practices. And at the same time they are not drivel. This is worship writing at it’s best and every one of his songs can be done in church. | |
| BYRD: The irony of this CD is that if you’re not already using these songs then you can. Like immediately this Sunday. They’re that singable and easy to work in. I’d leave off Lord Reign in Me though…everything else you should go for!!! | |
| MAHONEY: We might be the only church in America that’s never done “Everlasting God,” although I have played it at other venues. “All Who Are Thirsty” is a great song, and this is a fresh look for churches who don’t want to sound like Kutless. Of course, “Praise is Rising (Hosanna)” is already a popular worship song. The two new additions “Adoration” and “Amazing God” would make good additions to any worship team’s rotation, especially “Adoration.” |
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| VANCE: I’ve been using Everlasting God for over a year now. I was using Lord Reign In Me and All Who Are Thirsty a lot 3-4 years ago – both are great songs. Praise Is Rising, which is co-written with Paul Baloche is fantastic and I hope to add it to our rotation soon. The new song Adoration is also very good – not sure I will use it yet. |
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The Joint gives Brenton Brown: Introducing Brenton Brown Overall Rating:
Thank you so much Joel for reintroducing me to the word “drivel.” Good word!
Ya pretty funny. Most “non-worship leaders” that I talk to though, do not know Brenton Brown.
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