The Late Late Service

Item: Dry Bones Dancing
Author: Cara Baker

Dry Bones Dancing

(1997)

Reviewed by Cara Baker

Apple Music TIDAL Amazon Music Spotify YouTube Music

Label Maranatha! Music7ball #17March/April 1998

rock worship

Maranatha!, known for praise and worship music, appeals to a new generation with Late Late Service, giving praise and worship an edgy, guitar-driven sound. Produced by Chris Lizotte, Peter Shambrook and Shawn Tubbs, Dry Bones Dancing includes several weighty talents--including Tim Taber, formerly of Prayer Chain, as well as vocal turns from the producers--who tailor the music for youth services and gatherings. The easy-paced "I See The Lord" features the raspy vocals of Chris Lizotte. Following is the song he wrote, "I'm In Need Of You," showcasing the gentle female vocals of Jaime Eichler. She returns later with the duet "The Solid Rock," the only new arrangement to a classic song (On Christ the solid rock I stand/ All other ground is sinking sand). The song is simply laced with acoustic guitar and melodic accordion, the similar threads throughout most of the arrangements. Energy picks up with "Hosanna In The Highest," featuring the enthusiastic vocals of Todd Warren. The album closer, "He Knows My Name," is accentuated with bongos. The album's centerpiece, "Prepare the Way," seems to be the combined effort of Late Late Service, declaring their message: Where is the voice of our generation?/ In spite of our faults/ We come to the kingdom/ For such a time. The album is full of new songs with lyrically simple truths proudly modeling an edgy, yet intimate sound. Dry Bones Dance is a quality selection of worship songs for those ready to praise with a new song.