David Crowder Band - Church Music

Producer:  Information Not Available
Record Label:  Sixsteps Records/EMI Christian Music Group
Website:  http://www.davidcrowderband.com

David Crowder Band has been a major anomaly in Christian music for a long time.  They’ve managed to straddle the line between critical and consumer acclaim with much ease since the band hit big on the scene with 2003’s Illuminate (and to a lesser extent 2002’s Can You Hear Us?).  Crowder and band has released critically acclaimed release after critically acclaimed release.  2007’s Remedy was seen as a bit of a step back by some (but not this site) - but the band is back again with another one of the year’s best releases - Church Music.  Where A Collision was Crowder on a bluegrass and country kick, and Remedy saw Crowder more straight up pop/rock - Church Music goes in another totally different direction - covering a more electronic and experimental sound coupled with the band’s vertically focused lyrics (see DCB’s Sunsets & Sushi’s EP).  Church Music is more than just a worship recording - it’s a worship experience - meant to take the listener on a musical journey - beginning with the opening “Phos Hilaron [Hail Gladdening Light]” to the closing strains of “In the End [O Resplendent Light!]”.  “Alleluia Sing” finds Crowder focusing on a bit more of a pop/rock feel and feels most out of place when coupled with the more electronically focused tracks (though it’s nowhere near a disappointment).  All 17 tracks on this release make for a core sound and release - with songs fading into one another and connecting to keep the listener on this worshipful journey.  The electronic sound is extremely prevalent on this release - most notably seen on tracks like “The Nearness,” “SMS (Shine),” and “The Veil.”  Just when the listener thinks they have Crowder figured out, the band throws in an unexpected element - such as “Easter Hymn”‘s old-school electronic sound that fades into a bridge built on a string section.  It’s these kinds of musical innovations that keep fans coming back for more.  “Church Music [Dance!]” features a funky disco vibe, while “How He Loves” has a more straight up worship feel to it - and is by far one of the album’s best tracks.  Overall, Church Music really doesn’t sound like much that is going on with actual music of the church these days - but that’s what makes this recording work so well.  Crowder and Co. have managed to make a record that is not only fantastic musically, but takes the listener on a worshipful experience.  This reviewer has never seen it happen like this before.