Reviewed by Tony Cummings

The Mars Hill network of churches overseen by pastor Mark Driscoll have made a major impact internationally and now this sampler, emanating from a deal that Mars Hill Music have struck with Tooth & Nail/BEC Recordings, brings to worshippers' attention 10 of the bands and soloists assisting worship across America's Mars Hill churches. The best known musician featured here is Dustin Kensrue, who of course rose to fame fronting the Thrice mainstream hitmakers and is now leading the cleverly named The Modern Post. Not surprisingly, Kensrue's new aggregation provide one of the best tracks with the solid electronic-influenced indie rock "Grace Alone". Equally impressive are Citizens, whose self-titled full length debut album has just been released, while Kenosis offer on "What Wondrous Love Is This" what one critic described as "classic rock at its best" and with amps turned up to 11 and some fine ricocheting drumming this is better than anything that a band like Kasabian have ever released. Another act which catches the ears are Ghost Ship, whose two tracks "Just As I Am" and "One God" are both strong if a little too close to the stylings of the Arctic Monkeys to be entirely convincing. One thing which is a slight disappointment is that many of the acts here have decided to use their national distribution showcase track to revamp old hymns. I know that since Tomlin and co began to do it there is an ever increasing move to make rock updates of the glories of hymnody but the effect on this sampler is to blur the impact of some of the new acts. Another snag is the Ramshackle Orchestra who sound like a band of American musicians trying to play Irish folk and not very well. Overall though, there is much here to suggest that the Mars Hill churches are going to be major players in modern worship in the next few years.

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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