30th December, 2006

JOE MONTAGUE   

Album: Now Is The Time: Live At Willow Creek, Chicago, U.S.A.
Artist: Delirious?

Label: Furious? Records, 2006

In A Word: Authentic

"'Now Is The Time: Live At Willow Creek, Chicago, U.S.A.' is probably the greatest live album ever recorded by Christian artists and one of the best live albums of all time, including the general market."

With all due respect, to some wonderful bands such as Skillet, Petra and Switchfoot, there never has been a band that has so completely combined worship with the element of rock music as Delirious? Led by vocalist Martin Smith, the British band proves once again proves why they are the best with their performance on the album Now Is The Time: Live At Willow Creek, Chicago, U.S.A.

The CD is comprised of some of the greatest hits ever recorded by the band and some of the greatest worship anthems ever written.

It is the character of the men behind the music that makes their music so powerful. The members of Delirious? are authentic and live the message they proclaim. Earlier this year, I wrote about them being "untainted by the hype that sometimes surrounds their concerts". That attitude informs their music.

During an interview with drummer, Stew Smith, late last year, I was amazed to learn that the band still leads worship in the church they attend located in a tiny hamlet in England. My respect for the members of Delirious? grew even more during a brief encounter with lead vocalist Martin Smith prior to a concert in Toronto last spring. Smith is completely without airs and very genuine.

Solid Rock is British music at its best. Fans of The Smiths and David Bowie will find Solid Rock musically shares the same colors. The only artist we have in North America who comes close to dipping his vocal brush in the same palette is Kevin Max, who may be the most under-appreciated artist in America.

Songs such as Solid Rock with its megaphone-coddled vocals have become the worship anthems for youth worldwide. For 23 years Delirious? has proved that Christian artists can indeed be innovators and reinvent music. I hope the talking heads at some of the labels are reading this review. Slick packaging and formula writing lack substance and are no more than cheap “knock offs”. Creating outstanding music that stretches the boundaries and embraces equally creative lyrics that speak about the relevancy of Christ now that is great music! Delirious? has never been content to be like all the other kids on the block. They continue to find new canvasses and new color combinations. The band creates fantastic murals of real life.

Delirious? has never just been a bunch of rockers. They are much more than that, as the beautiful song Take Off My Shoes demonstrates. Smith makes this a love song to the Lord, “Hold me, blow all the pride from my bones; with your fire; hold me, breathe on this heart made of stone; keep it pure; hold me, savior of heaven and earth; King forever; hold me, love of my life lead me on; through the fire, lead me on".

My all-time favorite worship song Majesty (Here I Am) follows Take Off My Shoes. Majesty has become a standard when it comes to worship songs. The song is a modern day hymn that is just as powerful and as meaningful as the great hymns sung by your parents when you were growing up.

Just as meaningful and beautiful is the 13th track, Our God Reigns. With some awesome note bending, guitarist Stu Garrard demonstrates why the electric guitar clearly has a place in worship music. OK, I admit that was a shot at those who still decry the use of instruments in worship and, in particular, the electric guitar.

If you have never heard At This Time, Paint The Town Red or Rain Down, then the album is worth you bellying up to the cash register or your digital store with your credit card. Now Is The Time: Live At Willow Creek, Chicago, U.S.A. is probably the greatest live album ever recorded by Christian artists and one of the best live albums of all time, including the general market. Live albums are notoriously difficult to record while preserving technical excellence and yet this disc remains unblemished.

Now that you are completely sold on running out and buying the CD, I will let you know that it comes with a companion DVD of the concert. How much better can it get? If, as you are reading this CD review you are hearing of Delirious? for the first time, then do yourself a favor and buy the CD.