Last week I went through the music cabinet at church, cataloguing all of our songs. A bit depressing. It was pretty obvious that we needed to retire a few and update our collection with some fresh material. Finding new songs is an ongoing struggle for the church musician.

I am pleased that the Sovereign Grace albums are now available in Australia. Sovereign Grace is committed to quality songs with strong theological content. Their previous release, Songs for the Cross Centered Life, was excellent.

Emu Music has just released the follow-up album, Sovereign Grace Music Live. Happily, it is just as strong as it’s predecessor.

It is obvious that Sovereign Grace values song craftsmanship. The melodies are fresh, singable and contemporary. They have good hooks as well, something lacking in too many congregational songs. Sovereign Grace has defined the standard " good songs and good tunes. The rest of the evangelical song-writing community will now have to catch up.

This album was recorded live at Covenant Life Church, Maryland. The production values are high - equivalent to the annual Hillsong albums. The musicianship is faultless, and there is plenty of vamping and vocal improv, as well as a couple of blistering guitar solos. These are musicians who enjoy their music, and are not ashamed of that fact.

But this is not just a musicians' album. The quality of the production means that it will not be out of place amongst the rest of your CD collection. It is currently on high-rotation in my car!

Sovereign Grace Music Live contains a good mixture of musical styles. The lyrics are strongly Biblical and reflect theological depth. Themes include creation, redemption, thanksgiving and praise. Lyrically, this is as strong as any congregational album I’ve seen.

The album begins with a pounding anthem, “How Majestic”, based on Psalm 8. Other high energy tracks are “Endless Praises”, and a rocking new tune to “O God, Our Help in Ages Past”.

There are some lovely slower songs as well. For example, a wonderful power ballad, “Count it All Joy”, and a nice modern hymn, “His Forever”. Perhaps my favourite track is the beautifully crafted “Perfect Lamb of God”, with its beguiling melody, profound lyrics and anthemic chorus.

But I could find something to praise about every track on this album. I’m on to my third listen, and it just gets better and better.

Sovereign Grace Music Live and Songs for the Cross Centered Life contain the finest congregational music I have heard. You no longer have to be “poor cousin” to the pentecostal church down the road. My advice is that you buy both of these albums and rebuild your music ministry around them.