Integrity's Next is a three disc praise and worship compilation consisting of three parts: Now, Next, and Kids. Purportedly, the "Now" disc is comprised of songs currently popular in corporate worship settings and in radio play. "Famous One" by Sonicflood, and "Agnus Dei" (Michael W. Smith) certainly live up to that billing. "Here I Am To Worship" by Eoghan Heaslip also falls into that category. On the other hand, did we really need another recording of "Shout to the Lord" (Darlene Zschech) or "I Love You Lord" (Jason Morant)? Or "Lord I Lift Your Name on High," a song Petra did over ten years ago on their praise album? How is it that songs congregations have embraced and already discarded are considered "Now"?
The "New" disc is just that. Darrell Evans, MercyMe, Todd Agnew, Paul Baloche, and Phillips, Craig & Dean are the most recognizable names here. "Blessed Be Your Name", performed by Robin Mark, will become one of those songs you can't get away from in a few months. "Thank You Lord" (Don Moen) is another standout.
My five year old daughter loves the "Kids" CD. It consists of fifteen modern worship choruses, and is sung mostly by kids, which does little for the quality of the vocals. Favorites such as "Let the Praises Ring," "Trading My Sorrows," and "Forever" will be easily identifiable to adults as well.
Clocking in at just over three and a half hours, Next is ideal for a road trip with kids, if you are the type to listen to praise music in your car. If not, I recommend breaking this up into smaller doses, as the music can become repetitious at best, and possibly head toward the category of "vain repetition", when the mind is not engaged on the subject of these songs.
3 tocks
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 2004Reviewed by Levi StoferGenerally critical of compilations, I cannot say that Integrity's iWorship is as great as it is advertised to be. While it does offer many wonderful worship songs, several of these are not the original versions we know and love (I Can Only Imagine, Heart of Worship, Lord I Lift Your Name On High, etc) and usually end up being weaker interpretations of strong compositions. This would be my biggest…The Phantom Tollbooth 2004Reviewed by Zach DelphDoes the world really need another collection of run-of-the-mill, "done heard that" worship music? Apparently Integrity thought it'd be a good idea to give the consumer another dose of worship music in its continuing iWorship series. What's offered here is just a confusing mess. The set starts out with the "Now" disc, offering already popular tracks by artists such as Michael W. Smith,…
