An Unexpected Worship Experience | Posted January 16, 2012
Worship music is, of course, a staple of the CCM scene. It seems like one out of every two songs on Christian radio is a worship song, and rightfully so. There’s no better method of music than worshipping our Savior. The problem with some mass-produced worship music is that it tends to get very bland and uninspired. With the same songs and topics covered enough times to fill several compilations of only different renditions of that same song, there’s sometimes a bit of a creative controversy.
Luckily, there exist some artists who dare to push the worship genre’s comfort boundaries. Robin Mark is an Irish worship singer/songwriter and I had not heard of him prior to his new live worship album, Fly: Live From Ireland. My first impressions are quite strong. With original worship numbers, strong instrumentation, and meaningful songwriting, Robin Mark offers an uplifting worship experience that doesn’t feel like one I’ve experienced before.
The album opens up with “I Will Walk.” Instantly noticeable about this song is its memorable melody. Speaking of our promise to walk with Christ and spread His word, the song treads familiar waters but does so in a way that sounds quite innovative. The lyrics are also honest and meaningful, as Mark sings out during the chorus: “And I will walk with You, and I will find a way to show Your word is true.” An album highlight for sure, the song truly is special in the worship landscape.
The title track, “Fly,” comes next and I feel this is the strongest one on the album. The song speaks of God being there for us no matter where we are or how dark a state we are in. “If I were on eagle’s wings to fly, fly to the ends of all the earth,” Mark sings, “I could never leave my Father’s side, who knew me long before my birth.” The reassuring message is backed by a strong and emotional melody that helps the truth of the words resonate on a deeper level.
“He Will Not Remember” changes things up from the emotional to a downright catchy, upbeat number. With an accordion-driven hook, the song about God forgetting our wrongs continues to propel the album forward into the reassuring “Heaven’s Gates.” In this, Mark proudly sings how Christ “endured the cross, despite the shame, opened heaven’s gates… so that we might enter in.” It’s arguably the most “radio-friendly” song on the album but it doesn’t feel overdone.
Next, “The Young Man” sings of Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection. Compared with the songs preceding it, it is considerably more stripped down instrumentally. Overall, the song completes what is a strong first half of the album.
The second half of the album changes pace a bit with more slower-paced songs. “Great Love” bears theme to the title track, singing of how God will be our refuge in troubled times. Musically laid-back as well, the lyrical meaningfulness emerges boldly, as Mark sings: “When earthly wisdom dims the light of knowing You or if my search for understanding clouds Your way, to You I'll fly, my hiding place, where revelation is beholding face to face.” It’s one of the stronger moments on the album.
“Calvary” pleads with the Lord to lead us to Calvary and asks, “Who am I that I this love received?” The song slows down the pace even more, but keeps the instrumentation innovative enough to hold interest. “Clean Heart” talks about “how easily I stray” from the ways of the Lord, and pleads with God to heal us of our sinful ways. Melodically, it’s not quite as memorable as most of the other songs. But it’s a worthwhile inclusion nonetheless.
“Reign” is next, and contains the often-sung message, “Lord of my Life, you reign.” The song’s musicianship breathes freshness into the well-tread lyrics. “All behold the Lamb!” is exclaimed in the following song, “Behold the Lamb”—another song with more standard lyrical content.
“You Said” closes on a stronger and more upbeat note. The praise to God feels even more honest in this track. The song’s honesty and catchy instrumentation elevate it to an album highlight.
Musically, the album is very impressive. There’s a Celtic folk feel to some of the songs such as “Fly” and “Reign” that stand out. “You Said” has some orchestral backing and “He Will Not Remember” has the aforementioned accordion-driven hook. These songs, among others, help the album to feel fresh and diverse. If ever the lyrics tend to get a bit predictable, the music almost always steps in to energize the song with an uplifting beat or a reflecting folk feel. This is definitely not your typical “guitar and piano” worship album.
One thing that many can easily forget during the songs is that this is a live album. Aside from the applause that open and close each track, this could easily carry the feel of a studio album, albeit one that isn’t overproduced for radio. It helps the album to feel intimate while still feeling like a quality studio recording.
Closing Thoughts:
Robin Mark proves that he can rise above the complacency of many modern worship artists. With catchy hooks, emotional melodies, fresh instrumentation, and honest lyrics, Mark’s music is something worth checking out for fans of the genre, and even fans of contemporary Christian music who have grown weary of the sameness that permeates much of the modern worship scene. Robin Mark’s tunes transcend and exceed the expectations set by the genre in recent years, and prove that this is one artist worth hearing.
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