Reviewed by Tony Cummings

One of the most eagerly awaited projects of the year, this, under the production arm of Michael W Smith, brings a number of top line CCM performers like DC Talk, Third Day, Sixpence None The Richer, Jars of Clay, Cindy Morgan and Michael himself to the altar of worship. Gradually down the years the gap between artist-orientated 'performance' songs and worship music has ended, and this superlative collection will attack further that erroneous idea that worship music recordings must feature a congregation and a 'worship leader'. Here are songs directed to our Lord but written with all the songwriting craft and executed with all the production skill associated with platinum selling CCM. There are numerous glorious musical moments, DC Talk singing a haunting anthem "My Will" and possibly showing in its acoustic-pop rock lilt that there will be another stylistic shift when 'Supernatural' comes out; Third Day showing that you can still be heavy and give praise to God; Sixpence None The Richer as wistfully haunting as ever, and Cindy Morgan sounding a little like Enya on a Celtic-style song. Equally impressive are the songs' performances by the lesser known artists. Chris Rice offers a deft acoustic song and the Katinas bring in tight R&B harmonies. Does it work as worship? I think so, and I can't wait to introduce the worship group at my church to some of the songs here. They may not be able to get close to the exemplary performances here, but good songs are good songs.

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