Taking" Listeners Back to the Start
Posted October 30, 2014
By JJFrancesco_NRT, Staff Reviewer
For those of you who may not remember Delirious?, here's a quick refresher: they were a major CCM player of the 90s and early 2000s, giving us hits like "Majesty." A British pop/rock band for the Christian market was quite the recipe for leaving a permanent mark. When they broke up, many may have thought that that would close the book on that legendary sound.
But lead singer Martin Smith kept on writing and recording. Co-writing Chris Tomlin's recent smash hit "God's Great Dance Floor" was a precursor to releasing 2 full-length worship albums of the same name, parts 1 and 2. Now comes Back to the Start, a North America-exclusive compilation of the best of those two albums.
The album opens with the title track, which is essentially just "God's Great Dance Floor" (a live variation will end the album later). For those familiar with Tomlin's hit version, this version offers a similar take with a bit more flair courtesy of Smith's BritPop vocal aid.
Radio-worthy "Emmanuel" is next, proving to be one of the standout cuts from this collection. With its piano beat and cheering chorus, here we find Smith at the top of his game. Even lyrically, things are clicking: "You were there when the battle raged / now these scars are a song of praise / all I've ever known is you beside me / You were there in the lion's den / you keep me safe ‘til I'm home again." Smith's vocals drive a majority of the album, breathing life into songs that otherwise wouldn't resonate.
"You Are My Salvation" is another great highlight that packs some surprisingly musical power. With some orchestral backing and a surprisingly emotional performance, this one is unexpectedly stunning. "Only Got Eyes" is a pop hit from start to finish, with a danceable veneer that never feels too techno. Smith walks a fine line to ground the track from becoming forgettable.
"Redemption Day" is a song that goes beyond just impressive vocals, providing some impressive melodic moments, including an impossibly infectious electric-driven hook. Singing of Christ's death and resurrection, the song is a great Easter offering and helps keep the album up to speed during the second half.
Closing Thoughts:
With a dynamic collection of songs covering a range of speeds on the musical spectrum, Martin Smith has crafted an engaging collection of worshipful tunes that can stand up against the best in the industry. If you have his previous solo ventures, I suppose there would be little reason for you to check this out. But if you don't, Back to the Start offers a fine and sonically pleasing sampler. It might not quite bring back Delirious? to fans who miss them, but it might just be good enough that it will please fans of the band while holding its own in the genre as a whole.
Song to Download Now:
"Emmanuel" (Get it on iTunes here.) View All Music And Book Reviews By JJFrancesco_NRT | View JJFrancesco_NRT's Profile
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