Cry Holy is yet another modern worship album among the hundreds of others that have been released in the last year. Like most of them, many of the songs here are songs you have heard before - only two of the thirteen tracks here were originally written by members of Sonicflood. So why should you give Cry Holy a chance? In a nutshell, because it's better than most of the music in its genre.
"Cry Holy," one of the two original songs, falls into Newsboys meets Jars of Clay style, with good use of harmonies, intelligible lyrics, and nice guitar work by Todd Shay. Two of my favorite modern worship tunes, "Everyday," and "Here I Am to Worship," are given faithful treatment by the band.
Sonicflood makes several recognizable choices throughout, selecting songs by Chris Tomlin ("Famous One"), Scott Faircloff ("Shelter," "Love of My Life"), and Jason Ingram ("Everything to Me"). The closing number, "I Will," is the other new piece, and is perhaps the best song of those not previously mentioned.
While there's not much new here, Sonicflood does show talent, both vocally and in their playing. I look forward to hearing their next album, assuming they don't follow the trend of Michael W. Smith, and release another worship CD. What works on stage in concert or during a church service somehow just doesn't translate as well to CD, which is a shame. Still, Cry Holy doesn't feel like someone cashing in on a trend - it's more honest than that.
3.5 tocks
Similar sounding releases
2005LifehouseLifehouse
2000StarfieldStarfield
2001Ben Glover26 Letters
2004Delirious?World Service
2001PFRDisappear
2004Seven PlacesHear Us Say Jesus
