The Claim to Fame
Posted September 21, 2016
By PhillFeltham_NRT, Staff Reviewer
Christian contemporary band The Neverclaim gained some success and media attention with their 2015 album, The Joy. Now, the band hopes to continue the gained momentum with its follow-up effort, Encounter: A Live Worship Experience, an album consisting of both original and cover songs.
Both contemporary and church bands (Hillsong, Bethel and Casting Crowns, among others) releasing live worship albums has become a trend. Consequently, the market is now full of live worship albums. Now The Neverclaim, similar to other contemporary bands, has to deliver a unique worship experience that differs from the competition in a crowded field. Did The Neverclaim achieve this with their new live album? Yes and no.
"Our God Wins," the album opener, is originally from The Joy. The live version has a rough start, but the song turns into a quality listening experience once the rough intro ends.
The Neverclaim's lead vocalist Jeremiah Carlson poured his heart into "Through Christ" lyrically--in his words, the song comes from a very personal place in his story. Carlson says, "Through the healing process of all of [my previous] broken situations, Christ alone has been my strength, guide and the only one who could speak the reality of my true identity in him." In the song, Carlson sings: "We are not condemned by the sins of our father / We have been restored, reborn to live forever."
The band hit a home run with two of the album's cover songs: Hillsong United's "Touch the Sky" and the timeless hymn "How Great Thou Art." By far, The Neverclaim's rendition of "How Great Thou Art" is the best song on the album. The band turned a reverent hymn into a highly energetic worship anthem. On "Touch the Sky," The Neverclaim decides to play it safe by staying true to the song's original arrangement--it is Carlson's vocals that give the song The Neverclaim touch.
Some songs--particularly "Testimony" and "Rules and Reigns"--on Encounter: A Live Worship Experience lack energy and sound similar to many other worship songs available on Spotify and iTunes. But on a positive note, The Neverclaim keeps most songs short and, for the most part, avoids chorus repetition. "Encounter," the album's longest song, has a great build, but falls flat after the five-minute mark.
Closing Thoughts:
"How Great Thou Art" clearly demonstrates that The Neverclaim can deliver solid worship anthems. I would love to see the band do this on future albums, both live and in studio. Some songs also had some very impressive guitar riffs, an important element when delivering any type of anthem. Carlson is a former drummer for a heavy metal band-- I would love to see The Neverclaim inject more rock influences into their music.
So, how did The Neverclaim differentiate themselves from other worship bands? Carlson's dynamic and unique vocals and The Neverclaim's impressive guitar riffs are two elements that help the band claim their own unique fame.
Song to Download Now:
"How Great Thou Art" (Get it on iTunes here.)
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