Worship Review // Campfire Christmas Vol. 1 // Rend Collective

 

 

 

 

Artist: Rend Collective
Album: Campfire Christmas Vol. 1
Label: Independently released
Release: Nov 17, 2014

You’ve seen the teases on social media the last month – snow, trees, santa hats, and of course, “#ChristmasAlbum?” Wait no longer; it’s here! One thing that jumps out as you listen to the album: the arrangements are refreshing.  As a worship leader, I know I try to find that balance of fresh and new (let’s be honest, if only for my sake sometimes) but still accessible for my congregation to sing and praise God. While you may not lead all the classics like these, one or two well placed in a set this December could be neat for your congregation.

We Wish You A Merry Christmas // Similar to “Kumbaya” from the first Campfire album: short and tone-setting. #trend?

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (Glory In The Highest) //A highlight of the album. The arrangement could lend itself to an acoustic setting or with a full band and orchestra. The vocal melody still clearly drives this beloved classic. Give this one a close listen!

Ding Dong Merrily On High (The Celebration’s Starting) // Frankly, it’s not something I would consider for my church at all. But, if this tune doesn’t bring a smile to your face, you may need to get your pulse checked.

Joy To The World (You Are My Joy) // A second highlight. The harmonies on the “joy, joy, joy” refrain are great. The last few years it seems many prominent worship leaders have taken a swing at writing a chorus for Joy To The World. I like the simplicity of this one and I think it adds to the song – rather than take away. If you’re opening with Joy To The World this Christmas season, grab a few extra BGVs and welcome in your congregation with a harmonious “joy, joy, joy”. One last note, I would sing verses 1, 2 and 4, rather than the 1-4-1 which Rend Collective employs here.

O Come All Ye Faithful (Let Us Adore Him) // For the most part, this is a standard version. Rend Collective adds their own little twist for the last minute or so. The tempo is up a tick or two from most versions I’ve heard, and I like it. If you’re looking to use/emulate this arrangement, be careful to not speed up too much (as would be my tendency).

Shining Light // This song was originally written by Ash, a band from Northern Ireland (like Rend Collective). Where Rend Collective is clearly singing this as a praise to our “shining Light”, Christ, I’m having difficulty deciding if the lyrics are about a girl, or God. I’d probably steer clear of this one unless it absolutely made sense for a particular service or Christmas special.

Oh Holy Night (O Night Divine) // Very similar to O Come All Ye Faithful: simple acoustic arrangement with a Rend Collective twist at the end. Love the subtle sleigh bells. The new outro lyrics could be fun for when you lead this classic. I could see this transitioning right into a scripture reading of Christ’s birth.

Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee / A Joyful Reprise // This totally caught me off guard. I saw “Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee” on the track listing and thought, “clapping hands, stomping feet, Jingling Johnny – oh my!” I could not have been more wrong. Rend Collective did a sweet, reflective take on this hymn. If your congregation enjoys communion near Christmas, consider this one. Similar to Joy To The World, perhaps include some of the other verses too (I’m partial to verse 3, “Thou art giving…”).

Merry Christmas Everyone // See “Ding Dong Merrily On High” above. An aforementioned “smile” is required when they yell “Come on, Patrick!”

For All That You Have Done // This melody will sound familiar, as many songs use it. The lyrics are fantastic; I could see this being led before/during/after communion at any time of year. The chorus ends with “We’ll raise a song to bless Your heart / For all that You have done.” This is our goal as worship leaders, to raise songs that bless and glorify our Lord. Love it.

Well, that’s it! Pull this one out for your Christmas parties, pre/post-service music and special events. Consider one of the new arrangements for your congregation too. Enjoy!