Worship Review // The Modern Post // Lowborn King

We’ve know for a while that Dustin Kensrue was working on a Christmas project, but when he resigned from Mars Hill church this past fall, it was unclear if the record had been finished and whether or not it would ever see the light of day. Now at least part of those sessions are being released as an EP on BEC Records under the banner of The Modern Post.

There are two tricky things about this EP. The first is that it’s a Christmas record. That’s hard to do. There’s a reason that Josh Groban and Michael Bubble Christmas records do so well and that artists like Amy Grant change their whole sound to make their holidy offerings. The reason all comes down to two words: Bing Crosby. Stray too far from White Christmas and you’ve strayed too far from Christmas itself (musically speaking).

The second tricky thing about this EP that you find yourself asking the question “is this really a Modern Post record?” The Modern Post was Dustin Kensrue’s worship band at Mars Hill Orange County, but BEC Records is quick to let you know in their marketing that it’s a Dustin Kensrue project. It’s understandable since Kensrue’s solo record made such a splash last year, and it makes me hopeful that he is planning to release more material with The Modern Post who’s take on church music I’ve always enjoyed. But while they’ve gone with The Modern Post moniker, you can’t help but think at times that this is just a Kensrue record with synthesizers.

Angels We Have Heard On High// The most upbeat of the five songs, Angels hooks you in with it’s catchy dance groove and horn section which provide a link to the “Bing” paradigm. This arrangement could easily work in most churches, even if you don’t have the horn section or analog synths. The Sing Team style group vocals in the background not only add to the song, but are something worth trying out in place of the standard Christmas choir.

Child of Glory// I’ll be honest, when I first heard this song I thought it was a reworked version of an older song. After doing several Google searches I now think it’s an original song, but the preview copy I was given didn’t have liner notes so if I’m mistaken please let me know in the comments. The familiar melody and equally familiar but not cliché lyrics of the chorus will make this a new song that I think most congregations will connect with. The bridge “Lord I love you, Lord I need you, I will live for you alone” is a cool response moment to the rich lyrics throughout the rest of this modern hymn.

Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silent// This is a reworked version of an ancient chant that dates back to around 275AD. Musically this songs synth lines reminds you that this is a Modern Post record, but it’s the very analog string arrangements that really ground the emotion of the song. This song is a very cool blending of ancient and modern which I think is a good template for how to proceed generally with Christmas music in the church. This isn’t just a time to respect that tried and true, but to embrace it, while at the same time being firmly grounded in the reality of the days we find ourselves in.

What Child Is This?// I love this carol. It’s one of my favorite to lead at Christmastime. While I’m not sure how I feel about Kensrue’s take on this song I feel that it’s either not sung enough in the church or it’s stuck in some Celtic/renaissance fair purgatory. The Modern Posts version will introduce it some who’ve never heard it and give a new perspective for others who have.

This Is War// This is a new version of the song which first appeared on Kensrue’s solo Christmas album, 2008’s “The Good Night Is Still Everywhere.” I started doing the song last year and found it was well received in its original acoustic heavy version. This new version sounds more like the Mars Hill band Kenosis than The Modern Post and I doubt it will be widely received by the church at large. However, it adds a new chorus and the last verse is arranged in a more powerful ending than the original. I feel like if you try merging the chorus and try more driving arrangement with the original acoustic version you might just have something very cool to add to your Christmas repertoire.

If you’re a fan of any of Kensrue’s previous work from Thrice to his solo stuff you will probably find much to like in this record. If you’re a fan of Mars Hill Music in general this EP is in many ways a final summary of what God did through that label and that church musically in a short time.

For the worship leader who isn’t necessarily a fan of either Dustin or Mars Hill’s music this is still a project worthy of your attention. The three original songs are all well written and are transferable into many different expressions and styles of music in the church. Additionally, while you may not want to feature synth heavy rock riffs at your Christmas Candlelight service, the new arrangements on classic Christmas Carols might just give you an idea or two that you can incorporate into your Christmas services.

Let us know in the comments what songs you connected with and what songs you are going to employ in your church.