Hillsong – A Beautiful Exchange
Posted: August 7th, 2010 | Author: Mike Mahoney | Filed under: Hillsong, Integrity | Tags: Cd review, Hillsong, integrity music, klampert, LIVE CD, mike mahoney, Rich Mullins, the joint review | 1 Comment »
Purchase Hillsong – A Beautiful Exchange 
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| SYNOPSIS | |
| KLAMPERT: Here we go…Another Hillsong CD. There is something comfortable knowing that when I turn the ipod on and play the new hillsong I will always get that “hillsong” sound. That comfortability may be de-sensitizing me as well though. I find that the Cd becomes almost a blur or wall of eight note delay sounds.
Don’t get me wrong…it’s good. This is a well done CD. Great songwriting, playing, and production. What else could you want. If this is a persons introduction to Hillsong it is a great one. However if you are like me and have about 25 Hillsong CD’s then this may not rock your boat. Actually there is one song on here that will. “Like Incense/Sometimes By Step.” is the stand out song of this CD. It is a brilliant remix and is AMAZING. |
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| BYRD: - | |
| MAHONEY: Ah, Hillsong. They’re kind of like a high-end chain restaurant. Whatever album you listen to, you know what you’re gonna get. It’ll be good quality, it’ll be well prepared, and it will be completely familiar.
Such is A Beautiful Exchange. Consistently Hillsong. Now, I have no problem with Hillsong (although most ‘United’ albums are more to my taste), and I know going in there will be some good songs, and there are. I would just love to see musicians of this caliber step outside the box a little more; I’d like to see some risk. This album fits right into the formula perfectly. One jewel on the record is the great medley with a classic Rich Mullins tune called “Like Incense/Sometimes By Step.” Hearing that beautiful tune with the full Hillsong treatment is awesome. ”You” is another good, high-energy song that will be finding it’s way into a youth group near you. And, of course, all these songs are very easily learned, which will make them great for congregational worship. |
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| VANCE: I don’t know why it is, but Hillsong songs take a while to grow on me. I’ll always start out hating on an album, and then two albums later think to myself…. dang it… that’s a good song. I think this is probably the case this time round too.
I think there is a little experimentation (for Hillsong) on here. For example the mashup with “Like Incense” and “Sometimes By Step”. I like that they attempted this, but I’m sure I like the result. Another example is “Forever Reign” which has a strange (but extremely singable) melody. I do think Hillsong songs are becoming more sophisticated with more guitars and other instruments needed to do the song justice. I do think however, with some rearrangement you could use most of these songs without too much trouble no matter your band setup. |
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| BOTTOM LINE | |
KLAMPERT: The rating would be quite different if it were not for “Like Incense/Sometimes By Step.” The CD is worth double the price just for that song. Rating:    |
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| BYRD: - | |
| MAHONEY: Immense talent. Great sound. Sound lyrics. Not a lot of creativity. Rating: |
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| VANCE: A solid selection of songs, as usual. Rating: |
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| MUST HAVE SONGS | |
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| SONGS FOR CHURCH | |
| KLAMPERT:
You could do any of these songs. It’s a HILLSONG CD! The only one I will use though is “Like Incense/Sometimes by Step” |
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| BYRD:
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| MAHONEY:
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| VANCE:
It’s a Hillsong album! However, my feeling is that most of these songs will need rearranging for bands without multiple electric guitars. |
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The Joint gives Hillsong: A Beautiful Exchange Overall Rating:
Disclosure of Material Connection: We received this CD free from the publisher EMI to listen and post a review on our site. We were not required to write a positive review. The opinions we have expressed are our own. We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> > “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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