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Hymns records: they're all the rage at the moment aren't they? It seems that you can't move within Christian music circles without almost tripping over another artist or worship leader "going back to their roots" or "bringing alive old songs for a new generation". Sadly, while many of these releases are undoubtedly conceived from a heart of worship, and executed competently, it is all too rare to come across a "hymns" record which actually excites, which is musically inventive, which doesn't just trot out tired, straight rehashes of the same ten hymns (but this time in a hip and trendy...
Read More Hymns records: they're all the rage at the moment aren't they? It seems that you can't move within Christian music circles without almost tripping over another artist or worship leader "going back to their roots" or "bringing alive old songs for a new generation". Sadly, while many of these releases are undoubtedly conceived from a heart of worship, and executed competently, it is all too rare to come across a "hymns" record which actually excites, which is musically inventive, which doesn't just trot out tired, straight rehashes of the same ten hymns (but this time in a hip and trendy reggae style, honest guv). Well, intrepid listener/reader/personage, I bring glad tidings of great joy, I've found a good hymns record. No, strike that, a great one. And you can download it for free, right now. Why haven't you clicked the link yet?
Having said that many hymns records, aren't up to much, I am reminded of recent fine efforts by Sandra McCracken, Red Mountain Music and Matthew Smith. It is, however, with great excitement that I invite you to enter into the world of Ascend the Hill, and their new release 'Take The World But Give Me Jesus'.
Signed to Come and Live!, which is quite possibly the most exciting Christian music ministry around right now, Ascend the Hill released a quite brilliant self-titled debut album around 18 months ago, which was packed with heartfelt worship, which, mercy, didn’t sound like any other worship band. The record was exceptional in its indie rock simplicity and execution, taking the listener on an hour-plus journey in to the heart of worship. It had an integrity, a passion, which blew through the speakers, and infected my heart, as well as my ears. More than that, it was musically inventive, with sinuous rises and falls which begged for repeated listens, as you bowed before the King.
Now, the band are back, with their second album, a hymns record. In leader, Joel Davis, they possess a singer whose voice is a powerful instrument, a clarion call to his generation. This record sees the band extending their sound to incorporate more complex rhythmic patterns and song structures, but at its heart, their remains a passion for Jesus, which somehow comes through in every billowing guitar tone, every yearning vocal melody, every serene musical interlude. Surely, this is what worship should be about.
Each track here is based on an old hymn, so we get opener 'The Love of God', 'How Great Thou Art', 'I Surrender All', 'Be Thou My Vision' and five others. The band have in the main, however, crafted new verses and structures, so on most songs, the only truly recognisable part of the song comes in the chorus, which is, often, the height of that song’s crescendo. Particularly inspiring are the aforementioned 'How Great Thou Art' (in which the band inject an often-covered song with something which makes their version unique), the title track, which bubbles under for a fair while before exploding to a pleasing climax, and 'Hallelujah, What a Saviour', which combines a classic hymn, with a rather daring use of the chorus of a certain Leonard Cohen song. That said, each song here is fantastic. This is one hymns record not to miss out on.
So, to sum up, Ascend the Hill are, to my mind, the most exciting band releasing worship records on the planet right now. Both of their records are available for free, or donations (either financial or of the tweeting/facebooking variety) and I truly believe that, if you like indie, or rock, like, at all, you'll love them musically, and that you'll fall more in love with Jesus through listening to them. So check them out. Now.
And while you're at it, pretty much everything else on their label is cracking too. Support something pretty cool today.
Who said hymns records couldn't be amazing?
Review by Haydon Spenceley
LTTM Rating 5 out of 5 Stars
Standout Tracks
The Love of God
How Great Thou Art
I Surrender All
Download for free from www.comeandlive.com
