AUDIO
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Archbishop Peter Jensen's Christmas Message 2011 on the centrality of Jesus to human history
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St Paul’s Castle Hill have a strong history of songwriting and recording. Their latest CD, City Alight, is a fine addition to their catalogue.
Very attractive cover art, matched by a well presented interior booklet, reflect a strong commitment to high production values. These are evident on the CD as well. They clearly didn’t have a huge budget, but the album is very listenable. The credits show they have used external producers, and this always results in a better product.
The musical genre is an alternative Christian rock, very similar to what you will hear on a Hillsong United or PlanetShakers album. I’ve complained before about congregational albums taking such “soft” genre options, but these guys have done it well, and I enjoyed the album’s very credible “alt” edge. Besides, tweens seem to love this stuff, and that is clearly their target audience.
These (presumably) young songwriters have a mature grasp on the songwriting process. Soaring anthems and sweeping ballads are the order of the day, and they employ all the requisite tricks to make the music memorable and enjoyable. Some may complain that it is all a little cliched, but that’s really a plus when it comes to congregational music. St Paul’s could teach a few things to some other local songwriters, who need a bit less Bach and a bit more Britney in their music.
Lyrically, the album is strong throughout. The songs focus on the majesty and glory of God, and our humility before Him. They are scripturally inspired, and I’d happily sing any of them in church. I have one concern in this area, though. I found the lyrics to be weak in terms of redemptive theology. It’s worth recalling that a holy, majestic God is a terror to us - apart from the cross!
But this should not detract from what is an excellent album, featuring songs that are certain to please teens and twenty-somethings especially. God-willing, we can look forward to many more such albums from the team at St Paul’s.
Love that quote!!
Have they released any album's between 1997's (excellent) Great Is Your Love CD and this one?
No. This is the second "church" album, though there has been plenty of congregational songwriting in the interim as well as a number of solo recordings by various guys and girls who are (or were) part of the church.
Other albums by St Paul's people with great stuff for congregational singing:
Zacchaeus Heart - Niki Shepherd (http://www.sydneyanglicans.net/news/stories/790a/)
Brand New Day - Fiona Morris (contact St Paul's office for details)
Mercy Falls EP - Scott Roby (www.scottroby.net)
Have a great day everyone :-)
Keith
I grew up playing in bands with friends and listening to the Oils, U2, Gurus, Springsteen and Paul Kelly. All of these songs I've mentioned are melodically and musically just as good as anything they wrote.
Writing congregational songs is an incredibly hard and thankless task. It is very courageous for people to do it; it makes them vulnerable, and you have to write 50 to get 5 decent ones. I reckon if I get two or three out of a CD to sing at church I've done well.
Our contemporary music is second to none. I'm glad there is now more added to the pool, and look forward to hearing it.
I know that songwriting is hard - I was actually one of the songwriters on "Now Unto Him", which you mentioned. I personally know most of the local songwriters, and I've praised their work.
But I'm here as the music critic, and I'm doing no-one any favours if I just give the local guys a free ride. So I try and add some constructive criticism to my reviews, not to tear people down, but to be helpful. I did the same with this CD - I praised the strengths, but also highlighted some work areas. That's what music critics do.
I appreciate your balanced review. Some good feedback recognising our hard work as well as good things to learn from for next time.
Just a clarification though, we were fortunate enough to have 2 experienced producers from "within" the church involved in producing the album. Row and Timo did a wonderful job on arrangements and production on CITY ALIGHT. The only outside help was from a very talented young engineer/mixer, Andy Mak (Delusion Records), who also produced New Empire.
God bless,