Reviewed by Jonathan Cairns

This album has achieved something remarkable. Where a large amount of Christian music either follows well trodden paths, or falls short of the quality of secular music, Sojourn have created something which does neither. The quality of the music will be enough to impress any music producer, the standard of playing is better than the majority of mainstream bands and yet the lyrics retain an essential spirituality and power. Sojourn come from Sojourn Community Church, Kentucky, and their musicians have played with artists such as Norah Jones and Derek Webb. Brooks Ritter and Rebecca Bales provide the vocals and compose songs along with people like Jeremy Quillo and producer Mike Cosper. With this album, they've intended to capture a whole new style of worship through music, which I believe they've done. Their lyrics are so richly Biblical, but otherwise you'd find it hard to believe that these tracks aren't straight from something like the latest Norah Jones album. "I'm Coming Back" is beautiful yet melancholy, a song saying that nothing in the world compares to God. The hymn "Before The Throne Of God" is given the best arrangement I've ever heard, with it's smooth jazz style but convicted vocals. All in all, 'Before The Throne' is thoroughly inventive.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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