Worship For All Generations Posted May 02, 2023 By JasminPatterson_NRT, Staff Reviewer
What You Need to Know Turn Your Eyes (Songs We Love, Songs You Know) Volume II is the first full-length studio album since platinum-selling vocal group Point of Grace's 2015 album, Directions Home (Songs We Love, Songs You Know), which was nominated for a GRAMMY. Continuing their legacy of three decades of music and ministry, Point of Grace has released an album that feels like a celebration of the best of worship music, spanning decades and generations.
What It Sounds Like
The album includes covers of contemporary worship hits like Phil Wickham's "House of the Lord" and Sinach's "Waymaker," which was popularized by Leeland. There are also classics like Rich Mullin's "Awesome God," Amy Grant's "Somewhere Down The Road," and beloved hymn "It Is Well." An original song, "At The Table," opens the album.
As has been the case for 30 years of ministry, Point of Grace's vocal harmony is front and center and flawlessly delivered. It's interesting to hear worship songs often sung by one lead singer interpreted and sung by a group. As you listen to this album, you'll hear a lot of Country and Southern Gospel influence to your favorite worship songs; intricate vocal harmonies and banjo riffs make an appearance more than once. But right alongside that are intimate piano ballads accompanied by a string section and joyful praise that will take you to church.
Spiritual/Lyrical Highlights
Through the covers chosen for this project, themes emerge of God's greatness and power ("Awesome God"), trust in God ("It Is Well)", and compassion for others ("At The Table)."
Best Song On The Record
There's something about Point of Grace's take on "Way Maker" that is especially stirring. I love the piano melody and strings section in this interpretation of the song. The group's vocals are prominent, making the powerful message of the lyrics stand out even more. They even added some pre-choruses and made changes to the bridge melody that were not in the original version of the song to truly to make it their own. This song felt like a group of believers simply gathered around a piano singing to Jesus, and it's captivating.
Final Word
I admit this is a different style than the worship music I listen to regularly, but I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this album. There's something beautiful about Point of Grace, who are so seasoned in music and ministry, releasing a project that champions classic songs from decades ago right alongside the modern worship songs so many of us have on our current playlists.
It's a significant statement the body of Christ really needs right now: unity and valuing all generations of believers and the diverse styles of Christian music we use to express our praise to God. I'm grateful to Point of Grace for setting that example for us.
