Reviewed by Doug Holland

For those able to cheerfully embrace a re-visit to the classic, this collection of re-worked traditional hymns will be a joy. The re-writes are led by some of the current foremost worship leaders and they all work well; indeed most work very well. The new interpretations by Delirious?, Paul Oakley, Lou Fellingham, Brenton Brown, Gareth Robinson, Tim Hughes, Stuart Townend and others vary from completely new tunes to simply adding new choruses and/or other sections. As well as the tracks themselves working well, the collection is organised to provide an interesting and satisfying end-to-end listen, and while the overall feel is contemporary (electric guitars and big drums hold centre stage, but supported by softer sounds as well), the variety in arrangements and of tempos and rhythms across the selection helps to ensure that it is never overdone, tedious or repetitive. With such great source material ("It Is Well With My Soul", "Come Thou Fount", "When I Survey", "To God Be The Glory", etc, etc) the modern worship people showcased here surpass themselves.

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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Yesterday’s Hymns, Today’s Anthems is a great compilation of twelve tracks from some of the world’s greatest hymnwriters, presented in unique and compelling ways by the churches leading worship artists.

From Delirious? to Stuart Townend, Tim Hughes, Brenton Brown, Rend Collective Experiment and Lou Fellingham come classic songs such as Blessed Assurance, Come Thou Fount, When I Survey and Love Divine.