14th February, 2006

JUSTIN MICHAEL   

Artist: Planetshakers
Album: Arise

Label: Planetshakers, 2006

Enhanced content: Yes, a second disc containing six PDF music sheets and split tracks

In A Word: Committed

"Thematically, Shakers have always remained the same - let young people know they can worship God with their own music."

Planetshakers is a name synonymous with screaming youth who wear their Christianity as a badge of honour. The music is infectious and encouraging and has been at the forefront of a now international movement of conferences that has seen the Planetshakers brand stamped on T-shirts, arm bands, caps and indeed churches in Melbourne and Adelaide.

Arise is the new batch of tunes for 2006 taking it’s name and call from Isaiah 60. It is also the studio version of the live album to be released later this year. So it seems every screaming youth needs to check their bank balance to decide which album to buy; the good oil from those who were there says wait for the live edition.

The album kicks off with the very vibey Lift Your Name Up featuring a screaming lead vocal that will challenge most song leaders vocal technique. Redeemer takes the technique even further with the refrain: "If you can use anything won’t you use me...I’m living for you, I’m living for you". While the album doesn't challenge convention much, it seems that the screaming vocal is unique to the Shakers and could be something we see more of in the future.

Thematically, Shakers have always remained the same - let young people know they can worship God with their own music. There is the crazy-frog-esque dance of Majesty, the seven minute epic rock of Your Glory the Coldplay-infused You are my God and the go-really-fast-now Everything.

Though lyrics like "Jesus I will lift you name up", "I’m living for you", "I will worship forever" are not particularly original, they do stamp the album with simple but universal truths of faith that are consistent with all Planetshakers projects and crucial to their audience.

Though not a crowning achievement for the Shakers, Arise still has its moments. Stand outs include the hook in Majesty, the shout outs in Lift Your Name Up and Redeemer and the lush orchestration of closing track Set Me Free.

Arise also comes with some extra tidbits that may come in handy, including six songs in PDF to print and play as well as audio split tracks to some of the Shakers' past hits which can be used for karaoke in your bedroom or at your local church.

Justin Michael can be heard weekday mornings on Geelong-based radio station 96.3 - www.rhemafm.org.au.