Love Shines!
Posted March 24, 2011
By rawknreview,
Take several Kiwi’s, some synthesizer, electro-pop, and a love for God, and what do you get? The latest edition and first self-produced album by Parachute Band aptly titled “Love Without Measure.” For those unfamiliar with the New Zealand natives, the first track “Gave It All” may sound similar to the sound of Newsboys from the Peter Furler era. Proclaiming Jesus’ name and that He “gave it all for me,” the track opens up the album, testifying that because of His love, “all heaven is open.” Moving the synthesizer into some rhythmic guitars and drums in more of a pop/punk sound, “My Constant” reiterates the unconditional love God provides and how God’s love is “a love like this one, there’s no love like this one.” Finishing up with an anthem of praise from the words of 1 Corinthians 13:4a, “love is patient, love is kind, love is free, this love is mine” solidifies the recurring theme of the album.
The ‘meat’ of the album focuses on the praise and worship sound Parachute Band is known for, comparable to their neighboring Aussies in Hillsong. “Peace on Earth” slows down the tracks as the band asks for “more of Jesus in my life, more of Jesus so I shine your peace on Earth.” A more reflective “You Remain” focuses on the power the Savior has to take the hurting from the depths and it is He who remains “when all else fades.” The end of the song climaxes into a drum and guitar chorus, propelling the track into full-fledged worship mode. In “It’s You,” lead singer of former band Delirious?, Martin Smith, joins Parachute Band lead singer Omega Levine in this seamless transition from “You Remain.” Continuing with the same theme, the song serves as a call to open up to His will and allow Him to “take down these walls” and “[make] a way.” Referencing the beginning of Isaiah 6:8, the band concludes the track in a triumphant chorus, crying out “Here I Am, Here I Am.”
Next up is “The Redeemed,” commanding praise to the One who gives it all, paraphrasing John 3:16 with a piano lead until about halfway when drums and guitar parade into another celebratory anthem of praise and worship. Rounding out the mid-album worship set, “Saviour of the Broken Heart” is the song in which the album title “Love Without Measure” has its basis. As a central theme for the record and the band’s new partnership with World Vision, the band proclaims, “so this is our worship, to go where you lead, to love without measure, to clothe and to feed.” Trailing off the end of the song is the reading of another Isaiah reference, Isaiah 58:6-9a.
Starting out a little slow but picking back up again into the familiar pop-rock feel from the introductory tracks, “You Got Me” seems to be the climax of the album as resolution has been made and a feeling of acceptance is shown as sung “you got me, all of me. You got me Jesus, and all you are is all I want.” The following track, “Anthem of My Heart” simplifies the purpose of the song very well in this praise to the One who loves. With three tracks to go, “So Much More” slows down the mood once again, reiterating the recurring theme that Jesus is the one who truly does “Love Without Measure,” embodying how words cannot describe Him and “you are wonderful in all you are, beautiful, anointed. Saviour and deliverer, mighty and amazing. Jesus you are Lord of all, wonderful in all You are, Jesus you are so much more.”
“Sweet Surrender” leads in with the first truly acoustic track of the album, setting into place that the purpose on Earth is to worship Him in “sweet surrender” singing, “Jesus you’re all I’m living for.” Only to add icing to an already worshipful album is the last track, *Soar*, written by Parachute Band drummer, Sam de Jong. Just sit back, relax, close your eyes, and surrender yourself, meditating on the Savior before listening to this album all over again!
Closing Thoughts
As a first sampling of Parachute Band, myself, I will admit I was truly wowed and amazed by the feeling of completeness this album achieved. Conceptually focused on “Love Without Measure,” the band has self-produced an album that I would like to see receive much more recognition than it may already have. If you like Newsboys, Hillsong, or even Delirious?, please at least take a listen to several tracks and consider making “Love Without Measure” something to add to your collection, or even consider some of their tracks for your own church’s praise and worship set.
Review Written By: Mike Laxton [mike.laxton@christianmusicreview.org] on 2/7/2011 from ChristianMusicReview.org View All Music And Book Reviews By rawknreview | View rawknreview's Profile
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