the joint review » Phil Wickham http://thejointreview.com Just another WordPress weblog Mon, 09 Aug 2010 03:10:29 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Phil Wickham: Heaven and Earth Review http://thejointreview.com/2009/12/09/phil-wickham-heaven-and-earth-review/ http://thejointreview.com/2009/12/09/phil-wickham-heaven-and-earth-review/#comments Thu, 10 Dec 2009 04:44:34 +0000 Conner http://thejointreview.com/?p=415 wickhambanner

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SYNOPSIS
KLAMPERT: Phil Wickham can be classified as every worship leader’s man crush. The man has an Amazing and original voice. I first saw him open for Shane and Shane and was blown away by his talent, ability to lead worship and the way he can captivate an audience with just his acoustic guitar.
I was very excited to get this CD hot off the heels of the brilliant Canons. My opinion of it seems to go and down because while I like it I am not a fan of the production at all. It is way over-produced and he loses his raw edge that I love so much about him.
The themes he writes about are amazing and lyrically is wonderful. Here is the thing..to me his best CD ever was Singalong, the free one on his site. It is raw and showcases what he can do. I had the pleasure of hearing the acoustic version of this CD and it was just what I was looking for. It made all the songs really pop.
BYRD: This shall be a dangerous review for yours truly because I am a HUGE fanboy of Phil Wickham. Not too many people can hold your attention at the House of Blues in New Orleans sandwiched between The Myriad and the David Crowder*Band armed solely with an acoustic guitar! When I rushed to iTunes the next day I was stunned, nay floored, nay bewildered that the guy’s studio stuff is an elaborate cornucopia with a full band! Heaven and Earth is a progressive forward step from Cannons. It borders on the ‘over produced’ side especially when compared to the acoustic version of the CD (if you were so blessed to preorder this gem!) however, again it truly showcases Phil’s incredible writing style in contrast to his musical imagination that dares you to try them with either a full band or you and your 6 string. Heaven and Earth is also a thematic project like so many other of my favorites of 2009. Phil plays with these themes of God’s divine and our humanity nearly from start (“Eden”) to finish (“Heaven’s Song”.)
MAHONEY: I first became aware of Phil Wickham when I saw him open for David Crowder* Band during the Remedy Club Tour.  In New York City.  Just him and an acoustic guitar.  Weird.What was weird was that he blew the room away.  I was hooked after that.  Cannons was great, and Singalong was creative and brilliant.  And for the most part, Heaven & Earth lives up to Phil’s quickly growing legacy.  The record is thematically consistent, musically creative and well-produced.  Personally, I prefer the acoustic version, but I’m a sucker for that stuff.
VANCE: I’ve been a fan of Phil Wickham for a while.  When I first heard some of these songs on a live internet broadcast I wasn’t sure I liked them all that much.  I was afraid he wasn’t going to improve on his previous material.  However, when I eventually got the album I was really impressed.  Phil has definitely stepped up things with this record.  It has a more electronic feel to it and it works really well.  The acoustic version of the album (made available to pre-order customers) is classic Phil, showcasing how the songs can be carried on the guitar only.  Amazing.
BOTTOM LINE
KLAMPERT: Great songwriting and of course awesome vocals. A bit overproduced, but honestly the songs do make up for that poor mistake. Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
BYRD: Touching songwriting and top notch musical composition, what’s not to love! This is certainly not your safe, traditional worship project but I love that he’s trying hard to push himself forward and I’d rather than than milk toast any day! If you’re able to get the acoustic version of this CD as well you’ll be doubly blessed! Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
MAHONEY:  Beautiful songwriting, great musicianship and well tied together. A great source for churches (acoustic) and a great listen (full band)  Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
VANCE: I’m not sure how intentional Phil Wickham is about crafting songs that are congregationally friendly.  It my opinion, for most, many of these songs are not.  What do we have though is a great worship album that will minister to you.  A great record from Phil Wickham. Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
MUST HAVE SONGS
KLAMPERT:

  • Eden
  • Coming Alive 
  • Heaven and Earth
  • The Time Is Now
  • Hold On
  • Safe
  • I’ll Always Love You 
  • Cielo 
  • Heaven Song
BYRD:

  • Eden - seriously, do you know any other song about Eden?
  • Heaven and Earth
  • The Time is Now
  • Hold On
  • Safe – thanks Bart Millard of MercyMe for popping in but not overstepping!
  • I’ll Always Love You
  • Cielo
  • Heaven Song
MAHONEY:

  • Eden
  • Heaven and Earth
  • The Time is Now
  • Hold On
  • Cielo
VANCE:

  • Eden
  • Coming Alive – love the start of this song…!
  • Heaven and Earth
  • The Time Is Now
  • Hold On
  • Safe
  • I’ll Always Love You – great song!
  • Because Of Your Love
  • Cielo – beautiful chorus!
  • Heaven Song
SONGS FOR CHURCH
KLAMPERT:

  • Eden
  • Because of Your Love
  • Cielo
  • I’ll Always Love You
BYRD:

  • Eden – I’ve already done it at church :)
  • Because of Your Love
  • Cielo
  • Safe
  • I’ll Always Love You
  • Heaven Song
MAHONEY:

  • I’ll Always Love You
  • Cielo
  • Because of Your Love
VANCE:

  • I’ll Always Love You
  • In Your City
  • Because Of Your Love
  • Cielo

The Joint gives Phil Wickham: Heaven and Earth Overall Rating: 3.88 out of 5 stars

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