Well, this is a quiet week for Christian Music (and the site), but
we're still cookin' up some big stuff! This is a review of the latest
from the group that brouught last year's most popular modern worship
album, Hungry.

SURRENDER - VINEYARD UK (2000)
by Josh M. Shepherd
Given international attention with their significant debut project,
the UK Vineyard group attempt to recreate Hungry's buoyant spirit and
Celtic/contemporary balance on Surrender, with varied results.
Reading the lyrics is a worship experience in itself, as every song is
a dynamo of willful glorification directed to God in an intimate, meek
manner; their backing instruments aren't always as stunning. Showing
musical maturity, both upbeat refrains "Hallelujah (Your Love is
Amazing)" and "For Me" speak of the unchanging, surprising love that's
available and enduring. Inviting listeners to involve themselves in
this journey, track four dramatically develops questions of doubt,
strength, and identity, finding resolve "When You Call My Name." Key
changes and smooth guitar solos escort "With You" to a warm, unashamed
place of fulfilling relationship with Christ. While certainly
Biblical and adoring of God, "At All Times" and "We Will Be Together"
lose something in Sharon Heap's vocal delivery, with the messages of
faith and unity coming off terribly trite. This is offset by the
creative decision to have two (sort of) title tracks, the first an
unhurried, guitar-based "Surrender" of dreams, personal rights, and
comfort. "And I surrender to You ~ Lord, I'm yielding all I am to
You..." declares the "Devotion" chorus, written and sung by the same
voice as on "Hungry," Kathryn Scott. Her exquisite voice, paired with
such poetic wording as "You are tender Saviour, righteous offering"
and an understated acoustic groove, make "Devotion" a cornerstone
single of the album. A simple "I love You" repeat says much on "You
Are My King," a glad melody written in 1991 by group mentor Brian
Doerkson (who takes a back seat on Surrender and is sorely missed as
worship leader). Irish ullian pipes and a slow, tempo-setting
percussion back Michelle Langan on "All that I Need," a flight over
ancient and modern musical landscapes that holds close to the Father
for all knowledge and assuredness. Alluding to us as God's sons and
daughters, the eleventh and final song teaches that open affection,
weak dependence, and ultimate trust are "What A Child is Meant to Be."
Though clearly second best, Surrender mounts an awe-inspiring
portrait of Love Almighty in a jagged, irregular frame of praise.

Find out more about this release and other great Vineyard UK projects:
http://cMusicWeb.com/worship/vineyarduk


AVAILABLE TO PRE-ORDER (on cMusicWeb.com)

POP: http://cMusicWeb.com/pop
Transparent - LaRue [01/23]

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


CHRISTIAN HIT RADIO CHARTS FOR THIS WEEK
> Now that Jaci V is off the charts, we've got some great
> hits in the top 10, with Switchfoot, dcT, d:, and Tree63.
1. Don't Worry - Rebecca St. James
2. God is in this Place - PlusOne
3. Learning to Breathe - Switchfoot
4. Everything - delirious?
5. More Than a Dream - Raze
6. I'm Alright - Jars of Clay
7. Say the Words (Now) - dc Talk
8. I Wanna Be Moved - Ginny Owens
9. Treasure - Tree63
10. The Change - Steven Curtis Chapman

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


cMUSICWEB UPDATES
? None this week


Well, stuff here at the site keeps getting moved back as I am busier
and busier with things. But, it looks like I'm going to have all of
January to catch up! I guarantee that within the next week we will
have the new Christmas section up, and maybe a couple more items too.
Also, we'd love your comments on anything and everything we do here
at cMusicWeb.com, for we don't get much of that, and we don't know
what you like or do not like!

Dan Ficker
http://cMusicWeb.com/
a different approach to music
ICQ - 43224317 AOL IM - dMusicWeb