A Tangible Transformation Posted March 08, 2023 By SelenaSchulz_NRT, Staff Reviewer
What You Need to Know
Passion, as a student movement and church in Atlanta, GA, has many facets to cover. However, for this review I am specifically focusing on their worship band. I have followed the team for quite some time, and have been known to come back from church summer camps belting their anthems. They have a rotating group of collaborators, especially demonstrated in this album, since it was set at their annual conference with various Christian music guests.
Their passion for the Lord (yes, pun intended) is unparalleled and I adore the opportunity to bask in their creativity that comes in records like this one. My one-year anniversary of visiting Passion Church is quickly approaching, so this review is sure to be woven through with sentimentality. Let's dive in.
What It Sounds Like
As suggested by the album title, the elements of a live performance are evident in this record and prove quite contagious. There is something so intoxicating about hearing a vocalist's voice echoed by an engaged audience. As soon as I finished one song, I immediately went on to the next with eager anticipation. Unique and spontaneous additions were also present that simply increased my desire to attend Passion 2024. On a more specific note, "Another Glimpse" is beautifully built by the drums and synth. I just saw Sean Curran perform this song live in concert less than a week ago, so I am clearly biased. Nevertheless, I can confidently say that although the visual aspect is removed, this track does an excellent job at capturing the in-person moment. In fact, the entire album embodies this special quality.
Spiritual/Lyrical Highlights
Passion has an incredible gift of communicating the grace of God in every word they sing. A special example comes in "I've Witnessed It," a moment when the band collaborated with Melodie Malone. The entire melody is a testimony of seeing Him work in our own personal lives. "I've seen you breathe life within" is just one powerful line they employ to describe His goodness. The group then goes on to speak of the future, "and I'm confident I'll see it again." Not only do they describe the prior goodness of God, but they move forward with strong faith. The certainty they have of His provision and the spontaneous speaking moment had me near tears when listening to this song. A gift of words of crafting words and melodies is something the group surely possesses.
Best Song
I adore every song on this record, but if I had to pick one, I'd choose "All About You." As the first song on the record, there is a tangible sense of energy. Kristian Stanfill leads the incredible melody with expectation for God coming in and changing lives. His excitement is evident and for that reason, everything about this tune drew me in. Any song could really be argued as the best on I've Witnessed It (Live), but I am consistently drawn to this one, a fact I am more than okay with.
I could not be more thrilled that Passion has gifted us all with this compilation. I know God consistently shows up and does amazing things at their conference. Releasing the music from those moments is a reminder that He can work the rest of the year as well, no matter where we are. He is not a stagnant God, nor is He contained in one place. What a miracle it is that we have music (and such amazing music like this) to share His love with those listening. There's not a single part of this album that I don't like and I absolutely can't wait to see this music live myself; I hope you enjoy it just as much as I did.
