Top 10 Release Of 2008
Posted December 16, 2008
By KevinMcNeese_NRT, Staff Reviewer
From the beginning track of Michael W. Smith’s third worship album, thankfully titled A New Hallelujah instead of Worship Some More, you know your about to hear something extremely special. Very few artists can lead a live worship service in front of a crowd of 15,000 worshipers, with a full choir, orchestra and a multitude of rotating guests, but Michael seems most comfortable and at home surrounded by massive talent and doing what he feels is his calling—leading worship. The result is an emersion of live music filled with heart, diversity and unwavering passion that pulls you in and doesn’t let go.
The addition of Israel Houghton, the world renowned African Children’s Choir and an incredible young worship leader named Coalo Zamorano provide new layers that help separate this project from Worship and Worship Again. The new songs are incredibly accessible, including the title track, “Help Is On The Way,” “The River Is Rising,” “Grace” and the simplistic victory chant “Shout Unto God”. Michael adds his trademark touch to familiar songs like “Mighty To Save”, “Healing Rain/Let It Rain”, “Majesty” and “Amazing Grace/My Chains Are Gone,” stepping aside and allowing the 12,000+ vocals to do the work. It’s an incredible sound to behold and the grandiose of this project was captured brilliantly.
There are few worship albums that truly blow me out of the water these days, but it’s obvious with A New Hallelujah, the only worship album that captured my attention and held it in 2008, that worship can be fresh, new, exciting and original. Hats off to Michael for continuing to set the bar for artist driven worship. View All Music And Book Reviews By KevinMcNeese_NRT | View KevinMcNeese_NRT's Profile
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