British native & Oxford theologian Vicky Beeching has been involved in worship ministry since she was a small child. Now, one of Modern Worship's fresh faces Vicky brings an intellectual yet responsible melodic voice to today's modern worship. Her visceral sound is the new tone of the modern day church and her newest release looks to reshape the landscape of next generation worship as Eternity Invades.
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Vicky Beeching [Eternity Invades]| Posted April 06, 2010 [MAIN REVIEW]
Vicky Beeching has always desired to be a worship leader first and recording artist second. Integrity Music could see this was her true DNA, so now, after a two year recording absence, Beeching releases her Integrity debut, Eternity Invades, on April 6. The album re-introduces Beeching as one of today's most gifted female worship leaders, and her new music is a testament to her credentials as both a thoughtful theologian and accomplished musician and songwriter. The 30-year-old Beeching was raised in the UK by parents in church ministry and grandparents who served as missionaries in Africa and Israel. She began writing songs when she was just 11, and later, was inspired to prepare for her calling into music by pursuing a theology degree at Oxford University, one of Britain's most prestigious schools. “It turned out that my theology degree at Oxford would be my training ground as songwriter – shaping my mind and taking me deep into God’s word. It’s often said that songwriters are the theologians of our day as people remember songs far more than sermons. Songs literally are the soundtrack of our lives – so getting good theology into songs is vital,” says Vicky.
I’ve been a big fan of Vicky’s songs since her major label debut Yesterday, Today and Forever and I really enjoy her songs “Above All Else,” “Great Is Your Glory” and “The Wonder Of The Cross.” If you like those songs, then you’ll love Eternity Invades as this is a fresh new worship album with 13 songs of vertical worship that were all written or co-written by Vicky. Opening song and first single “Salvation Day” really sets the tone musically for the album, which has a Brit-pop feel similar to Matt Redman and Delirious. Most of the lyrics come straight from the Bible as the verses of “Salvation Day” are straight out of John 3:16. “Blessing And Honor” keeps the up-tempo feel going and was drawn from Revelation and reflects the concept that worship on Earth is a foretaste of how it will be in heaven. My favorite song on the album is next, “Deliverer,” which is a worship ballad and is very moving. Especially as we celebrate the resurrection, this song really grabs me with the worshipful chorus “where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom, where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is healing.”
Some other album highlights include Vicky’s take on the hit song “Glory To God Forever,” which she co-wrote with Steve Fee. Her version starts with the chorus and is a more stripped down acoustic style and would be a great addition to any church worship set. “One Day” was co-written with Robin Mark and “Break Our Hearts” is a great call to action reflecting the truth found in Isaiah 58: “feed the hungry, help the oppressed.” The chorus cries out “break our hearts with the things that break Yours, wake us up to see through Your eyes.” My all-time favorite worship song “Hosanna” by Hillsong United reflects that same powerful message in the bridge written by Brooke (Fraser) Ligertwood. “Undivided Heart” is a gorgeous and vulnerable song. It has a pretty piano-based melody which really stands out on a guitar-based album. It is a confessional prayer song and I find myself very much praying along with Vicky “give me an undivided heart, I want to love You with every part…I want to be Yours alone.” The album closes with a new recording of “The Wonder Of The Cross,” which is also a highlight.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
If you like Hillsong United, Matt Redman, Tim Hughes, Brenton Brown and Fee, then you must pick up this album by Vicky Beeching. For me, the highlights are “Salvation Day,” “Blessing And Honor,” “Deliverer,” “Glory To God Forever,” and “Undivided Heart.” Eternity Invades is a very solid worship album filled with personal and extremely biblical and prayerful messages. Vicky’s songs are truly a “blessing and honor” for me, and I can’t get enough of her sincere songwriting and emotional vocals.
Rating: 9.0 out of 10 (90%, A-)
Review written by: Kevin Davis | Review can also be found here.
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from ChristianMusicReview.org. Click here to visit ChristianMusicReview.org today!
CCM POPSTER RETURNS TO WORSHIP ROOTS| Posted April 06, 2010
Before UK born and bred singer/songwriter, Vicky Beeching, began her pursuit of professional music she enrolled as a theology student at Britain's renowned Oxford University to ensure her spirit-led songs indoctrinated sound Christian creed rather than simply combining corporate feel-good phrases. And with a post-graduation education in the field of her choice, having mentored with the likes of Matt Redman and Tim Hughes, Beeching's place in the modern worship scene seemed like a no-brainer.
But fast forward a few years and Beeching was a major stateside label artist and being touted as Christian music's "next big thing," gradually losing focus of what originally compelled her to create music - helping usher people into the presence of God through music. Thankfully Eternity Invades, Beeching's debut Integrity release, brings the musician back to her roots, recording songs designed for corporate praise.
"Salvation Day" starts the CD from scratch with an electric performance of an arena-worthy praise chorus and "Deliverer" crescendos a chorus of redemption over an ambient, Coldplay-influenced soundtrack, chant singing, "Your blood is enough to break every chain." Beeching enhances an acoustic demonstration of Fee's hit song, "Glory to God Forever," a tune she co-wrote with the band's frontman, with a string quartet and an outro of impromptu worship while Irish worship leader Robin Mark contributes his stellar penmanship to the perfectly corporate "One Day."
But it is the beautiful lyrical imagery of "Blessing and Honor" ("The air is filled with angels/Who speak and shout your name/The atmosphere is changing/As eternity invades) that truly captures Beeching's intent and reminds listeners that worship is an invitation for interaction with a living God. And though the record musically clones the worship music's infatuation with Brit-rock, it is rare the genre is able to marry depth of verse with current musical elements. And for that, Beeching deserves a bit of praise all her own. -Andrew Greer
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from CCMMagazine.com. Click here to visit CCMMagazine.com today!
Eternity Invades through worship| Posted September 14, 2010
It is fantastic to hear someone with talented vocals, good tune and most importantly, amazing lyrics! Vicky Beeching has the voice and the sound that makes her nice to listen to, but it's the heartfelt praise that sends this album into the 5 star range.
It's been a long time since I've bought a full album rather than just a song or two. But Eternity Invades is one that I would buy not only for myself, but for friends and family members.
Inspiring!| Posted April 07, 2010
I love this album! Vicky's lyrics really moved me. I had to keep stopping the MP3 player...not to cry but to write! I turned out 7 lyrics as a direct result of listening to this album! Fuel for writing...awesome!
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