Starfield [I Will Go]
Posted September 24, 2008
By christianmusicreview,
[Main Review]
Two years after releasing their last studio album, Beauty In The Broken, the Winnipeg,
Manitoba, Canada-based rock group Starfield return with their latest offering in I Will Go.
After undergoing a few changes in the group, the Neufeld-brothers led quartet come forth
with a brash new selection of new hits as well as some great songs of the past.
Since this is Christian Music Review’s first Starfield review, I want to take a moment and
introduce you to the group. As mentioned before, Starfield is led by Tim Neufeld on lead
vocals and guitar, his brother Jon Neufeld on guitar and vocals, Gordie Cochran on drums
and David Crisp on the bass guitar. The group currently resides in Vancouver, British
Columbia, Canada when they are not out on tour.
Onto the review …
While Starfield had garnered their most successful radio run with Beauty in the Broken, I
ashamedly admit that prior to now I wasn’t too familiar with their music ministry. I was
however quite impressed with I Will Go and the impression it left on me with its straight
forward lyrics and worship-style musical numbers. I am now starting to notice that there is
more and more praise and worship style music being brought to radio then in the early part
of the 2000 era.
The record starts out with the driving song, “From the Corners of the Earth”. The song
reminds us that we may be many believers, from different countries, different cultures, but
in essence we are all of one God. One Savior. One church. I immediately thought of 1
Corinthians 8:6 when I first heard this song. Its funny how at times that our different
denominations can make us feel as though we’re worlds apart, even though we may co-
exist only across the street or down the road. We need to come together for the sake of
the call and tear those denominational barriers down.
Speaking of praise and worship, Starfield does a cover of Hillsong’s “Hosanna”, which in
my opinion is one of the greatest worship songs in the last decade. The word Hosanna,
for those of you who are not familiar means ‘a shout of praise or adoration; an
acclamation’. The song reminds us of the second coming of Christ and that we are a
generation in need of revival. Until that day comes we are still to praise God with hosanna
worship. I think Starfield takes this song and makes it their own, with another entertaining
‘raise-your-hands’ rendition of a great song.
I think I would have to say “Reign in Us” is probably my favorite song on the album both for
its awesome message and for its music. I often go straight through a record when writing
a review, but this song really caught my attention. I probably listened through to this one 3-
4 times before moving onto the next track. I think it should be the goal of Christians
everywhere to allow Christ to have complete control of our live. Our actions, our words,
our deeds and everything else we do should reflect our Savior. I think the first verse
speaks volumes, saying “You thought of us before the world began to breathe / You knew
our names before we came to be / You saw the very day we’d fall away from You / How
desperately we need to be redeemed // Lord Jesus, come meet us / We’re desperate for
Your touch.” Great message, I was lost in it …
The album’s title track, “I Will Go” to me seemed like the perfect candidate to be our
generation’s theme song to God. What do I mean? The Great Commission. Go into the
world and preach the Gospel to every living creature. While Matthew 28:19-20 popped in
my head when I heard the first chorus, I also thought back to the Old Testament in Isaiah,
where in 6:8 Isaiah tells the Lord, “Here am I; send me”. We should all approach ministry
this way. Fully trusting that God has plans for our lives, to do His work and to be about His
business. I think the music to the song fit the message perfectly in what the group is trying
to say here. ‘I Will Go’ seems to fit the direction where this headed.
Ben Cantelon. A name that most may not be familiar with. But check out the Cantelon
penned song, “Remain”. Great message, another song that would fit snug into the praise
and worship category. Ben Cantelon is head music pastor at Soul Survivor Church in
Watford, England. Cantelon once worked alongside worship musician and songwriter Tim
Hughes (recognize that name? Lol) at Soul Survivor. Although I have never heard
Cantelon’s version of this song, I think with what I have heard from Starfield’s rendition, it’s
a great song both musically and for its bold message. God never changes, even though
we do. We must remember that. Through all of our struggles and shortcomings, it’s nice
to know that the Lord remains the same no matter what. He loves us the same, His mercy
for us is the same… it remains with us. I love the chorus, “You are God with us / You’re
victorious / You are strong and mighty to save / For Your word stands true / There is none
like You / And when all else fades, You remain //.
Slow it down just a bit for the last track, “Hiding Place”. The song talks of the Lord being
both our shield and ‘hiding place’. Although simple in its message, I think the song is a
great reminder that no matter what we may be going through in our lives and our individual
walks, it’s a good to know that no matter what, the Lord is our shield, our protector, our
hiding place. The song reminds me in lyrical essence to Kutless’ hit worship song, “Strong
Tower”. It’s a good reminder, especially in a world that is seemingly falling apart more and
more with every passing day. We all need that hiding place, a piece of mind that makes us
feel safe.
[ Writer's Closing Thoughts ]
All in all, I wasn’t surprised of how much I liked Starfield and I Will Go. I was told by some friends familiar the group prior to this review about this album and one
responded, “You will be impressed with Starfield. I can promise you that. I loved Beauty in the Broken”. This was the truth. Prior to I Will Go, I was not really familiar
with Starfield, but I can certainly say after listening to this one, I have high hopes for the future of this group’s music ministry. This CD was downright great, I was impressed and now call myself a fan of Starfield. In a world of
mediocre message-less Christian music, it’s a breath of fresh air to hear a group whose ambition and goal is to praise God with meaningful and ministering music and entertain their fans at the same time. Well done guys!
Rating: 9.6 out of 10 (96%, A)
Review written by: Jay Heilman
(jay.heilman@christianmusicreview.org)
Review can also be found at:
http://www.christianmusicreview.org/starfield_iwillgo.html
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