I wasn’t sure how to approach this review, so I’ll start off with a basic idea: this is a good record. It flat out defeats and repels two of the great criticisms of modern church music. The first is that the lyrics of modern church songs are just repackaged love songs. Go ahead and try to replace Jesus or God with Baby or Darling. Generally speaking, it won’t work for the songs of Wake Up The Wonder. The second criticism that it puts to rest is the idea that church music is inherently behind the times. Sure, this isn’t a record meant to sound like Sigur Ros or Propaganda, but it is in line with Bastille, Imagine Dragons and some modern U2 thrown in for flavor.
That’s not to say the album doesn’t have its weaknesses. Musically, it could be argued that this album is just too long. At 14 tracks, it might be better served at 9 or 10.
Already Won// I’m a sucker for analog synth and this song just hit me the right way. It’s a great tone setter for the rest of album with it’s energetic synth, bass and guitar lines. It’s also one of the songs that would be easiest for a church band that didn’t have a Nord or Moog to transfer. A bass or guitar could easily take the parts and run with them. It’s also one of the only songs I’ve heard where lines like “now the party has begun… and we’re dancing to the sound of freedom” don’t feel forced, out of place, or cliché.
Unstoppable God// “Jesus our God unstoppable, nothing shall be impossible, your kingdom reigns unstoppable.” There comes a time when we either believe these words or we don’t. One of the things worship leaders do is present songs that we believe in and invite people to join us in that belief to. The Elevation Worship band does a great job here inviting us along for the journey.
Jesus I Come// The first song on the record to slow it down a little. This song has a great sense of musical dynamics and it’s one of the songs that will be easier for the average church band to bring into their repertoire.
Ever Glorious// It’s not a bad song, but it’s not a great song. It could’ve stood out more had the record been shorter. It also could be filler that should be removed. The title pretty much sums up the lyrical content. It’s very possible that this song could be a song for the next season of your church, with winter retreats and camps coming up for many of us, this may be a good song to save for January or February at some snowy lodge. Easy to learn in a short time and anthemic for a weekend that often needs one.
Jesus Forever// Those of us who are fans of hymns can forget the power and importance of the simple declaratives in worship. Jesus is Lord! He has conquered sin and death. The chorus’ simple refrained “we shout that name that will break every chain, Jesus forever we crown you with praise.” Fully reawakened something that had been stirring in me recently.
Your Promises// This was one of those songs that left me wondering, would it have been better if the record had been shorter or is it just a filler song? This is a good tip for younger worship leaders. Songs can a have a lot of power, but if you create white noise by having too many songs in a set or too many of the same type of song in a set, you can loose something that might’ve been really cool.
The King Is Among Us// This record is as close as you’ll get to a “concept worship album”. The idea was to create a prayer for the church, seeking God together for both personal and corporate revival. In keeping with that theme, it’s a great to remember that God isn’t only with us during seasons of revival, rather, the King of Heaven is here with us, present as we worship him. While concept records are not a new idea, even for church music, it’s very cool to see Elevation Worship’s modern take on the idea.
Great Things (Worth It All)// Another track that fits with the record overall, but does get lost in the crowd a bit.
Standing// Every so often you’ll hear the U2/Edge comparisons to modern church music. Usually when I hear this kind of discussion I think to myself “man, I really wish those band DID sound like U2.” This song actually sounds like U2 without sounding like a direct rip off.
The song declares “my soul says yes to your promises.” I think that’s a great thing to remind ourselves and our churches during worship. God has promised so many things to his children, the question is how we respond to those promises.
Let Us Adore// Elevation Church Pastor Steven Furtick has the lead songwriting credit on this song, and on several others on this record. I enjoyed this song, both lyrically and melodically, even if tries to borrow another song’s “hook” to draw you in (O Come All Ye Faithful). I’d be very curious to find out more about how song writing process went to bring this record together and what Pastor Steve’s part in the process was.
I Love You Lord// I was genuinely curious when I saw the track list if they’d gone old school on one song and busted out “I love you Lord and I lift my voice”. To my slight disappointment they had not. This is a “prom song”, there’s no way around it. But 1 out of 14 ain’t bad, so I’ll give them a pass, plus I enjoyed the arrangement. We could all learn a lesson in musical dynamics and creating “space” from this song.
For The Lamb// “Most high and lifted up, be glorified forever. Jesus has overcome, declare it now together!” It seems like a great way to end the record. A kind of declarative song that puts a final exclamation point on a time of worship. Instead they kept singing for a few songs.
Fortress & Look How He Lifted Me// I’m going to lump both of these together because there’s the same issue. They both feel out of place musically with both the journey that the record takes from start to finish and with the musical tone of the record. They are both actually really good songs on their own and are worth checking out.
FINAL THOUGHTS
In the end, there are two ways to view every worship record: 1st how it works for you personally, and 2nd, how, if at all, will this serve my church.
To the first question, the album works for me overall. The opening track hooks me in and I’m willing to go for a ride. I found that some of the lyrics really spoke to me and there were a few songs that I’d look at further for use in leading worship.
To answer the 2nd question, how will this serve my church? Most likely as new background music before and after service. After that, you have to view it like you do every new record that comes out. Elevation Church’s last worship record “Only King Forever” was released less than a year ago. With 13 songs on that record, how many of them did you sing in your church, how many are the church still singing?
While I’m all for new songs, there comes a point where you realize that each new record is going to only produce a handful of new songs for your church. Most would be lucky to get one song into rotation. In the last few weeks we’ve had new music from Citizens and Saints, Rend Collective, Kings Kaleidoscope and others, not to mention tracks from last year’s Dustin Kensrue album (and others) that I’d still like to see get played at my church.
My advice would be to buy this record, enjoy it, and then look for the one or maybe two songs that really speak to you, that you think your band can pull off, and that God is leading you to sing in his church.
Hey Adam, good review. I enjoyed the record a lot, as listening material. I am not sure how many songs I would use in my church… to me, Elevation’s stuff is always just a little left of center for where my church is. I do think that this album is the closest they’ve come to “breaking through” and I hope they do. I think the mission and vision of Elevation Church is incredible and I hope the world sings these songs (or at least some of them : )