Rebecca St. James

Item: Worship God
Author: Olin Jenkins

Worship God

(2002)

Reviewed by Olin Jenkins

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Label ForeFront RecordsThe Phantom Tollbooth2002

ccm pop worship

Well, it's about time! For the skeptical: is Rebecca St. James simply jumping on the P&W bandwagon? No. RSJ has recorded praise songs on Heaven and Earth (produced by John Hartley of Phil and John), Eterne (ForeFront), and her own landmark Transform (the incredibly beautiful "My Hope"). I'll argue that RSJ has always sounded like praise and worship, and worship GOD is simply an overdue project. I'm pleased it's here.

Let's clarify what type of praise project this is not and is. It's very important to note that worship GOD has the stamp of Rebecca St. James with Matt Bronleewe returning in his duties as producer. The texture sounds very much like that of Transform (bringing RSJ into her own sound, not the era of God, arguably Alanis Morissette). It is not Vineyard or Maranatha! Music, and therefore, it's not for those audiences. RSJ's voice is at the -- ahem -- forefront, with few group vocals.

Here's what it is (youth leaders take note): "alive praise and worship," which is certainly what youth participants will say about this recording. I've heard of youth groups using "God" and "You're the Voice" for praise and worship. worship GOD is definitely a notch above that sound, certainly more youth-group-praise-friendly. What could have made this recording even more worship friendly is a "Side by Side" type of group vocal arrangements.

"Breathe" is already gaining a lot of airplay, and it's a good version of one of my favorite praise songs. I'm so used to the Passion Worship Band's version of "Better is One Day" that this reading takes getting used to. Ditto for "Above All." The standouts here are not the familiar P&W songs, but "Quiet You" and "Lamb of God," both excellent songs; the latter is perhaps the best candidate for youth praise and worship gatherings.

worship GOD is a natural progression from RSJ's God to Pray and her current sound of Transform, well performed and worthy of audience participation.

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