Reviews: We Cry Out (CD & DVD)Bethel Church Store

We Cry Out (CD & DVD)

$19.00

by Matthew Worsley

Date Added: Wednesday 10 September, 2008

I came to learn of this title through an emailing containing a link to the awesome performance of "How He Loves" which truly moved me. I needed to get a copy into to New Zealand to introduce to our church {LifeChangers Church)!

This is one album I have truly enjoyed experiencing. The vocals are universally of a high standard and are effective in their chosen material. "We Cry Out" is my first experience of worship from this church and I expect I will be grabbing more titles. I'm not sure how much of this is original material (I spot a couple of Hillsong titles) but this is really immaterial, the quality of the performances and commitment to God is so very evident here that some of these versions have become definitive for me. Well done to all involved!

A couple of observations: although its handy for the mp3 player to have the songs faded out between tracks I would have preferred a continuous live flow if only to hear more of the free worship that obviously was taking place. Also some dialogue from the leaders would have been cool.

Sound quality: unfortunately - and I hate to bring criticism to such a great musical album but this lets the title down - the mastering is WAY too hot on this one so much so that a lot of the music is audibly 'clipped'. It creates a harshness and audibly 'distortion' to the recording that could so easily not have been there.

As a worship leader myself I believe dynamics are vital to a great worship atmosphere. If the producers of these albums can leave the music to breath a bit the music would sound so much better - and be timeless with it. Don't bow to modern trends!

In any regards I would recommend this (and have done) to anyone who enjoys quality worship music and look forward to the new album.

Matt - NZ

Rating: [4 of 5 Stars!]

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