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Jesus Culture – Come Away

Posted: November 17th, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: Jesus Culture | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | No Comments »

Purchase Jesus Culture – Come Away
Artist official site

SYNOPSIS
KLAMPERT: Jesus Culture is one of those bands that comes out with CD’s that are primarily covers but done better than the original. They are an amazing, organic spirit flowing band.

They come out of Bethel church and have a real IHOP influence to them. This is great but sometimes when they are “flowing in the spirit” it can be difficult for mainstream worship people to follow.

Overall I like this CD. I have been a fan of the song “come away” since I heard it two years ago and I love their version.

They have some Jason Upton, Misty Edwards, and a great cover of “let it rain” complete with just a wonderful worshipful atmosphere.

Chris Quilala, who I assume is the band leader is fantastic and weaves in some real dynamics along side of his own vocals and Kim walkers epic pipes.
BYRD: I am a late bloomer to the Jesus Culture movement but there probably hasn’t been a band that’s shaped my worship leading these past 12 months than these guys. I think just this past year I’ve picked up every Jesus Culture project because I just canNOT get enough. There were two things I kept thinking about this CD:
1) Where are all the covers?
2) Where are the all out jamming tunes?

Now, come to my surprise, they do have some songs they covered here but I just am not familiar enough with them to know they are covers. The whole CD feels organically original and I guess that’s the beauty of Jesus Culture, they’re able to personalize each song so that it doesn’t feel like a scrapbook of songs.
Come Away certainly has a different feel than Come Away and Your Love Never Fails. There are a schmorgazbourg of mid-tempo worship grooves and ballads. In pure Jesus Culture style this does NOT mean it’s not a powerful CD but it does feel differently. I guess that’s my only disappointment, Kingdom was in the EP but is missing here on the CD. Maybe it felt a little out of place compared to the rest? Guess I’ll have to get the DVD now!!! Haha! Gladly!

What this CD also has is a real ethereal, organic feel to it. It truly feels like we sit in worship for a while. For the casual listener that means they might get tired of the length of the songs but for the worshipper, it truly captures and creates a worship experience as you’re listening. I do wish there was a bit more diversity of tempo or song feel. I also think that My Soul Longs For You is SUPER THICK because besides being a powerful song, mixes leads with both male and female vocalists. I’d love to see more of that. Wowzers.

MAHONEY: Here’s the funny thing about Jesus Culture – they’re not that good.  Which is what makes them great.  Every Jesus Culture albums sounds like some big ‘ol jam session, which makes them all feel… real.

Come Away is a typical Jesus Culture album in that way.  It’s also typical in that it’s a mix of originals and cover songs.  I was pleasantly surprised to hear Kim Walker belting out “Freedom Reigns.”  She’s probably one of the few vocalists who could really do that Jason Upton song justice.

Of course, Kim isn’t the only vocalist in this band.  ”Freedom Reigns” is followed by Chris Quilala beginning the Paul Morton classic “Let it Rain.”  When the crowd takes over, the heaviness of worship is palpable.  The originals are good, too, especially “Rooftops” and “I Want to Know You.”
VANCE: There are different types of worship albums out there.  Those with lyrics that are steeped deep in theology, those that take a more simplistic but yet structured approach and finally those that are seemingly spontaneous in nature.  Jesus Culture fits comfortably in the latter category.  I would describe most of the songs on Come Away as very loose.  It seems the band totally expressed their freedom to take the songs wherever they wanted in that moment.  Ha ha.

And I like it.  It’s a like a portable worship experience.  Ha ha.

I’m a strong believer in using songs to reinforce a truth about God, as melody helps us to more easily remember things.  However, every now and again, it’s just so refreshing to soak in God’s presence and just ramble our praises to Him.  That’s what Jesus Culture do here.  Ha ha.

It’s funny, but the only song I feel is out of place is “Come Away” which happens to be the title track. The song is sung from God’s perspective to us.  This is great a solo performance, but I feel as a congregational song, it’s a weird perspective to be singing from.  Ha ha.

The absolute best, and probably the most structured song is “Rooftops”.  Ha ha.

Here’s a wee confession for you.  Kim Walker’s wee giggles used to annoy me when I first started to Jesus Culture’s recordings.  Now I don’t mind them.  In fact, I think I like it.  Ha ha.

See what I did there?  Ha ha.
BOTTOM LINE
KLAMPERT: Overall a very wonderful live worship experience. I can’t say it is their best because it seems they are moving in a hillsong path where all the CD’s sound the same. I hope the next release shows us some more creativity that the artists are showing us on their solo CD’s Rating: ★★★★☆
BYRD: The collection of songs on Come Away feel as though we’ve skipped introductions and “gathering” songs and are just digging into a night of incredible worship. Not a song is under 6 minutes which means the casual listener may skip but the worshipper is in for an experience even in your car or through your headphones. Get the DVD because Kingdom is a killer tune and I’m sure the video quality is as excellent as the audio. Rating: ★★★★☆
MAHONEY: More Jesus Culture in the vein of We Cry Out – and just as good.   Rating: ★★★★½
VANCE: A refreshing worship experience you can carry with you in your pocket.  Rating: ★★★★½
MUST HAVE SONGS
KLAMPERT:

  • Rooftops
  • You Are My Passion
  • I Want to Know You
  • My Soul Longs For You
  • Freedom Reigns
  • Show Me Your Glory
  • Let it Rain
  • Come Away
BYRD:

  • You are my Passion
  • My Soul Longs for You
  • Show Me Your Glory
  • Rooftops
  • Freedom Reigns
  • One Thing Remains
MAHONEY

  • Freedom Reigns
  • Rooftops
  • I Want to Know You
  • Let it Rain
  • Show Me Your Glory
  • You Are My Passion
VANCE:

  • Rooftops
  • You Are My Passion
  • I Want to Know You
  • My Soul Longs For You
  • Freedom Reigns
  • Show Me Your Glory
  • One Thing Remains
SONGS FOR CHURCH
KLAMPERT:

  • All of these are usable. I used “come away” for opening for good friday service 2 years ago. worked great!
BYRD: Do them all!
MAHONEY:

  • Let It Rain
  • Freedom Reigns
  • I Want to Know You
  • Show Me Your Glory
  • My Soul Longs for You
  • One Thing Remains
  • You Are My Passion
VANCE:

All of them I guess.  I really love “Come Away” but a little weird for a congregational setting.

The Joint gives Jesus Culture – Come Away Overall Rating: ★★★★½

Disclosure of Material Connection: We received this CD free from the publisher  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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