Does 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, Sonicflood, and Phillips, Craig and Dean. The black eye of this disc is the fact that a good majority of the songs are covers, save Michael W. Smith's "Agnus Dei," Brian Doerksen's "Refiner's Fire," and Darlene Zschech's "Shout to the Lord," all of which I wouldn't really consider to be the biggest songs of today. The reason that most of these songs aren't by the original artist is most likely caused by label restrictions. Integrity just isn't able to offer the artists that will catch a listener’s eye and ear. Regardless, this disc is still problematic because of its song selection.
The "new" disc has problems of its own. While most of these songs are unknown and new to the average listener, they offer nothing that's groundbreaking in the means of originality or content. It's just a copy of the first disc, reworked into new song titles and new artists. This disc is even more boring than the first due to the fact unknown nature of the music.
If you're a worship music fan that can't seem to get enough of the same thing, over and over, then pick this up. If you strive for originality in your worship music, go for something offered by the Passion series. At least their artists write their own music.
2 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 Brian A. SmithIntegrity'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.…
