NOTE: This was written on Tuesday, May 1st. For unknown reasons, it
was not delivered (even though I sent it). We are sorry for the
inconvenience.

Although the review is old, the CD is still very popular, selling
tons of copies. Also, look for a VHS and DVD concert/interview
release coming to the Internet and stores sometime soon!

OFFERINGS - THIRD DAY (2000)
by Rick Foux
Perhaps the two most pondered concerns of Third Day fans are when the
band would put out a live album and when a Third Day worship album
would be produced. Wait no longer. Offerings, the much-anticipated
fourth Third Day album, is the answer to both of these questions.
Combining new studio recordings with live cuts of what the band
considers to be their greatest worship songs, 3D delivers a
powerhouse of praise as an offering to their fans and to their
savior, Jesus.

"King of Glory," a new Third Day worship song, opens Offerings with
the band's motives clear from the very beginning: to lift up the Lord
on high as King over all. More new 3D material on the CD
includes "These Thousand Hills," written by a fellow Atlanta band, in
which Third Day's Georgia-based style is captured perfectly through
Mac Powell's gritty, but worshipful, vocals and the acoustic
accompaniment of the rest of the group. An upbeat cover of Bob
Dylan's "Saved" is also presented on the album with all the
enthusiasm of a Sunday morning Gospel choir. The elementary, yet
heartfelt lyrics "I'm saved by the blood of the Lamb, and I'm so
glad," remind listeners of how it felt to first come to Christ.
Another original Third Day worship tune, "You're Everywhere," is a
mellow, relaxed song with a mysterious melody. Originally written for
Conspiracy No. 5 but not fully completed until now, it is a reminder
that nothing we do, say, or even think, escapes our omnipotent,
awesome God. "All the Heavens" is the last of the new 3D material
with a soothing sound like that of a traditional hymn and lyrics
filled with hope: "But you left your throne in the sky, just to live
inside my heart."

One of the live cuts on Offerings is track #3, "Your Love, Oh Lord,"
a worship tune inspired by Psalm 26. It is followed up by "Agnus
Dei/Worthy," which was originally a Michael W. Smith worship tune. As
the track progresses, it crescendos into a cry of "You are holy," and
fades out into the band and crowd beautifully singing and praising
God acapella as the "worthy King of Kings and Lord of Lords." Track
#6 is a live version of one of my personal favorite 3D songs, "My
Hope is You," stating that our one and only hope is Christ and
backing up that statement with pulsating electric guitar and with
Powell encouraging the audience to sing along. The next live track is
the ever-popular favorite, "Thief." The melancholy tune tells the
story of a lowly thief who seems to have only death facing him, until
he puts his faith in Jesus and awakens to the paradise awaiting him
with his savior. "Consuming Fire" rocks out in the live cut with a
new, deep bass solo. Although questionable as a worship song, the
band has been amazed over the past five years to see how many fans
have exalted God with this raw, pounding hit. And of course, "Love
Song," considered by many to be the most forcible Third Day single
ever, closes the album gracefully, holding nothing back. The audience
sings the whole way through along with the band, and the result is
total, uninhibited worship, which makes the live "Love Song" much
more than just a recording. It is truly an "offering" to our glorious
God.

Offerings stands tall among the most ultimate of worship albums
produced this year. It comes from a band whose sole desire has been
to bring praise and exaltation to God, and their efforts shine
through brilliantly on this live/worship recording. Listeners will be
enjoying much more than just a new batch of 3D songs; they will find
themselves totally immersed in a praise and worship experience unlike
any other, and long before the end of the album they might just find
themselves joining it.

Find out more about Third Day at cMusicWeb.com:
http://cMusicWeb.com/rock/thirdday


AVAILABLE TODAY (on cMusicWeb.com or at your local store)

26 LETTERS - BEN GLOVER
The Male Vocalist category is back in style, and one of the earliest
in the onslaught is Ben Glover, an intelligent contemporary artist
with a good message.

FREE TO FLY - POINT OF GRACE
Same old, same old. If you like PoG, then get it. If you don't,
then don't. IT'S THAT EASY!

YOU ARE SO GOOD TO ME - WATERDEEP
This album is not perfect, but that's part of worship. This album
features a folk style of worship music, which doesn't really get the
crowd jumping up and down, but nevertheless worshipping. And all the
songs were originally written by Waterdeep, so this one's the PICK OF
THE WEEK.


AVAILABLE TO PRE-ORDER (on cMusicWeb.com)

ROCK: http://cMusicWeb.com/rock
The Big Surprise - The Elms [5/22]
Facing Changes - Hangnail [5/22]
Festival Con Dios - Various [5/22]
Untitled - The Benjamin Gate [5/22]
Live - Big Tent Revival [6/05]

ALTERNATIVE: http://cMusicWeb.com/alternative
Big Blue Sky - Bebo Norman [5/15]
Leave Here A Stranger - Starflyer 59 [6/05]

POP: http://cMusicWeb.com/pop
26 Letters - Ben Glover [5/01]
Free to Fly - Point of Grace [5/01]
Destiny - The Katinas [5/08]
Mi Corazon - Jaci Velasquez [5/08]
True Vibe (self-titled) [5/15]
Oxygen - Avalon [5/22]

Click on the album titles on the genre page to order them and recieve
them on the release date.


THIS WEEK'S CHRISTIAN HIT RADIO CHARTS
> They're locked in on the top five, so not much is going on.
> Here comes new A/C artist, Matt Brouwer. Where's the Elms??
1. Shaken - Rachael Lampa
2. One Like You - Audio Adrenaline
3. My Life - PlusOne
4. Ocean - Ten Shekel Shirt
5. Reborn - Rebecca St. James
6. Make It Last Forever - Avalon
7. Love is the Movement - Switchfoot
8. Every Time I Fall - Jaci Velasquez
9. Joy - Newsboys
10. Water - Matt Brouwer

SOURCE: CCM Update (http://www.ccmupdate.com/)


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