16th July, 2009

JUSTIN MICHAEL

Album: We Cry Out

Artist: Chris Quilala, Kim Walker, Melissa Wise (Jesusculture music)

Year: 2007
Label: Jesus Culture Music / KI entertainment
Web: www.jesusculturemusic.org
Bonus: Live DVD of all 10 tracks plus a bonus interview  

In A Word: 'Conferency'

"This sits somewhere between a worship covers album and a year book reference for a conference that would have been a hoot to be a part of. It's 'conferency', but in this case, that ain't a bad thing. I'm now a fan."

Go to a big student-driven conference - United (Hillsong), Passion (Louie Giglio) or, in this case Jesus Culture (Bethel Church) - and you'll see that one of the defining marks of any of these are the original tunes that come out of them.

In this case, however, we hear songs that are harvested from all over the globe and brought together by the sound of this particular movement. Phil Wickam's I Adore You, Delirious?' Rain Down, Hillsong United's Fire Fall Down and All I Need and, my personal favourite moment on the disc, John Mark McMillan's How He Loves.

Driven by three worship leaders from Bethel church in Redding, California, Walker, Quilala and Wise bring a unique lead vocal to each tune. The DVD shows a bit of a lack when it comes to engaging an audience (somehow you never feel like you're part of the event) but every vocal is as honest as the day is long. Walker in particular seems to pour her soul into each song.

The production has allowed for the 'real live' moments to stay and makes for an audio disc that engages the heart quite dramatically at times.

Sonically, this is pretty straight-up guitar-driven rock. It could do with some extra layers and some more engaging leaders (Mr Quilala could you please lose the music stand?!), but they're only small things and you'd be hard pressed to doubt that the delivery is from the gut.

The whole Jesus Culture movement seems similar to the Passion group in that it is a big collection of solo artists that come together to lead these events. You can hear some of the heart of the event from Bethel's senior pastor, Bill Johnson, who features on the bonus section of the DVD.

This sits somewhere between a worship covers album and a year book reference for a conference that would have been a hoot to be a part of. It's 'conferency', but in this case, that ain't a bad thing. I'm now a fan.