New CDs from familiar artists

Praise and Worship music on CD abounds, and it can be daunting to discern the best of this music. Five CDs top the list for enjoyable listening.

• Love and Thunder, with Andrew Peterson, consists of creative poetry, lyric prose, heartfelt prayers, powerful ballads and imaginative story. This album contains a variety of musical styles, from folk and bluegrass to acoustic pop. Beautiful vocal harmonies accompany him, and in the background Andrew includes instruments such as banjo, fiddle, mandolin and hammered dulcimer. The title, taken from a phrase in the song “Canaan Land,” represents the paradoxical nature of God’s mercy and power. Andrew expresses his understanding of who God is with tremendous grace and fluidity, and he brings the music and lyrics together in perfect partnership.
  
• The Very Best of AVALON – Testify to Love, uses tight mixed harmonies, driving beat, and full band sound with intense energy. Three new tracks accompany this mix of songs from previous albums, adding freshness and excitement to this new recording. The band has combined strong and powerful lyrics with high quality music, making it easy to understand all the words.
• FFH’s Ready to Fly, reflects their belief that, in difficult times, we need to allow God to lift us up to soar in freedom instead of standing still or plodding along the journey. In their music the group shows vulnerability and transparency, demonstrating freedom and victory in Christ.

  While FFH maintains their signature harmonies and instrumentation, they have added beautiful piano-driven melodies. They have also incorporated some new and exciting sounds and become more personal in their lyrics.
  

• The WOW WORSHIP (Yellow) collection highlights 30 powerful worship songs from today’s top artists. It also includes some older classics, such as “Be Thou My Vision” and “Amazing Grace,” giving them a fresh new twist. This album features 32 different artists and includes country, rock, alternative, pop, and contemporary styles. Each musician sings music written by other composers, producing a fresh sound in songs that we often sing in church or hear on Christian radio.
  
• Let Your Glory Fall, by Phillips, Craig & Dean, consists of a mix of worship tunes that will uplift your spirit. All but three tracks are popular praise songs that are familiar in many of our churches. The vocals, with their signature harmonies, blend better than ever before. The band members feel that they have gone “back to the basics” with this album, which focuses on our vertical relationship with the Lord.
  

These five CDs have songs with powerful, inspiring lyrics and music. They feature a refreshing variety of styles well worth listening to and adding to personal CD collections.

Carol Riediger, a Registered Piano Teacher, lives in Chilliwack, B.C. She works as a receptionist at the Health Unit and is involved in worship and music at Chilliwack’s Central Community Church. She was formerly involved in music and evangelism at Saskatoon Youth for Christ and Bethany Bible Institute.