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Page CXVI – Hymns I & II

Posted: November 4th, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: indie, Page CXVI | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | No Comments »

Purchase Page CXVI – Hymns I & II
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SYNOPSIS
KLAMPERT: I am a HUGE fan of the hymns. Having an ancient modern and liturgical background I have grown to appreciate different forms of worship and have realized the richness and doctrinal teaching value of the hymns. In the past there have been two different kinds of hymn “re-vitalizers”. There are the “passion worship” kinds of guys that take a hymn like Amazing grace and add a chorus (My Chains Are Gone). Then there are those like Sojourn music who take the hymn and create an almost entirely different hymn from it.

Page CXVI I would say is smack dab in the middle of that. They have a refreshing sound and the female lead vocalist is very different. I could see her fitting in well at a 10,000 maniacs show.

I don’t think these CD’s will be loved by everybody because it is very stylistic, but I absolutely LOVE them. They are fresh and innovative and steeped in the ancient.

My favorite track “Joy” just blew me away the first time I heard it. I was dealing with the lack of God’s joy and it spoke right to me “it is well”. Honestly I get goosebumps every Time I hear that song.

The “In Christ Alone” cover is the best version I have ever heard of it. Yes even ahead of the new Owl City version.
BYRD: To be honest, I have not understood the “Hymns Movement” that is upon us. I remember when Passion dropped Hymns Ancient and Modern in 2004 and thought it was fantastic but it appears now that the only “respectable” worship music is if you’re remaking hymns and that’s just weird to me. So, honestly I was a little jaded going into the reviewing of Pages CXVI’s two hymns CDs. That being said, I’m grateful for the time spent on these two projects and a bit anxious for the new CD due out at the end of the month.

What distinguishes Page CXVI is their haunting quirkiness. The arrangements are simple, their instrumentations are fundamental, but what they play is largely very creative. It’s not the polished and put together sound but it is tight and well thought out! These guys definitely have talent and it’s definitely accessible for a band of any size.

My favorites are the unique sounding worship songs like Nothing But The Blood that sounds like it should be on the soundtrack to Little Miss Sunshine, Praise to the Lord with it’s quirky shuffle and march, Rock of Ages that is just simply beautiful, and oddly enough the Doxology that is hauntingly special. That being said, the things I so like about Page CXVI kind of put me to sleep when it doesn’t hit on tracks like How Great Thou Art, Abide With Me, and The Solid Rock. It’s really a mixed bag when you think about it. Good thing there are four of us reviewing these CDs!
MAHONEY: Ah, hymns.   Few things can divide a worship team faster than the “hymn problem.”  Do we do them?  How do we do them?  We can’t do them!  Yes we can!

Page CXVI gets its name from my absolute favorite part of The Chronicles of Narnia - Aslan “singing” the world into existence in The Magician’s Nephew. (which is on page 116)  They look at hymns as essential to modern worship.  To that end, these albums are as much about demonstrating how to artfully accomplish classic hymns as they are for listening pleasure.   And, for the most part, they accomplish both goals.

Imagine “When I Survey the Wonderful Cross” as a Hillsong-esque anthem.  It works pretty well.  ”Come Thou Fount” is also amazing, as is “In Christ Alone.”   A couple of the songs did fall a little flat for me; I don’t like the intro to “How Great Thou Art” although I really like the body of the song itself.  I’ve heard better versions of “The Solid Rock” and “Doxology.”  And I’m  pretty sure I really dislike “Battle Hymn of the Republic.”

All in all, this is a must have if you like hymns, or if you are looking for a way to approach hymns.
VANCE: I’ve had the first Hymns album from Page CXVI for donkey’s years now.  I love it.  The hymns they have selected are awesome.  The only one I would not be ecstatic about is “When I Survey The Wonderful Cross”, but the rest are absolute blinders.

So when I laid my little mitts on Hymns II recently I was quite excited at the possibilities.  To be honest I was disappointed.  Did they use all their best hymns for the first project?  I don’t know.

I’m not saying this is a naff record, not at all!  There are some beauties on here too, like “Rock Of Ages”, “Battle Hymn Of The Republic”, and “Doxology”.  If you can afford to purchase both albums, please do.  However, if you only have enough change for one, I’d go with the first one.
BOTTOM LINE
KLAMPERT: I Love these two CD’s and can’t wait for hymns 3 and 4 to come out. They have become an Epic band. Rating: ★★★★½
BYRD: I think there’s some great music here and the fact that they lyrics are hymns makes it pretty special. It’s not Passion. It’s not Hillsong. And yet again, it’s really good stuff and that makes it special as well. Not everything hits on all cylinders for me here but I really respect these two projects and am anxious for the upcoming releases. Rating: ★★★½☆
MAHONEY: A great, modern approach to classic hymns, with one or two klunkers.  Rating: ★★★★☆
VANCE: I love when old hymns are revived and get to live again.  Page CXVI are doing a good job of classic hymn revival and I will be keeping an eye on them. Rating: ★★★★☆
MUST HAVE SONGS
KLAMPERT:

  • In Christ Alone
  • Joy
  • Praise to the Lord
  • Doxology
  • Battle Hymn of the Republic (I can’t even believe they made me like this song)
BYRD:

  • Come Thou Fount
  • In Christ Alone
  • Nothing But the Blood
  • Praise to the Lord
  • Rock of Ages
  • Doxology
MAHONEY

  • In Christ Alone
  • Come Thou Fount
  • When I Survey the Wonderful Cross
  • Joy
VANCE:

Hymns

  • Come Thou Fount
  • In Christ Alone
  • My Jesus I Love Thee
  • Nothing But The Blood
  • Solid Rock
  • Joy

Hymns II

  • Rock Of Ages
  • Battle Hymn Of The Republic
  • Doxology
SONGS FOR CHURCH
KLAMPERT:

Every single one of these could be used in church
BYRD:

Well…the titles to the CDs are Hymns I and II so I think they’re all Songs for Church :)

MAHONEY:

Really?  These are hymns.
VANCE:

All of them.

The Joint gives Page CXVI: Hymns I & II Overall Rating: ★★★★☆

Disclosure of Material Connection: We received this CD free from Page CXVI  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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