Music Review: ‘Church Music’ by David Crowder Band

Written by Mike Parker

It is hard to have a discussion about the contemporary worship music movement without talking about the David Crowder Band. Undoubtedly one of the most innovative worship bands of the past decade, DCB has earned six Dove Awards, including the 2008 Worship Album of the Year for “Remedy.” Their new CD, intentionally titled, “Church Music,” will no doubt continue to build the band’s reputation for both innovation and inclusion.

“Church Music” is unique in that it never ends. Although the project is comprised of 17 distinct songs, one track flows seamlessly into the next without a break – 73 minutes of straight, uninterrupted music. This by itself is a pretty amazing accomplishment that must have required a prodigious amount of pre-planning on the part of the band, who self-produced the project. Beyond the technical legerdemain required to make this work, the band’s ability to write songs that are cohesive, flow naturally, and still maintain their individual integrity without feeling forced is staggering.

DCB has never felt the need to pigeon-hole their musical style, which can range from old-time religion to unbridled rock ‘n’ roll to new-fangled bluegrass, and “Church Music” is no different. The music ranges from funky electronica to gentle, acoustic piano ballads.

The album starts out promising enough with the Latin-titled, “Phos Hilaron,” which, if I remember my church history correctly, was the title of one of the first hymns sung by the ancient church. I’m pretty sure Crowder’s version sounds little like the original, but it’s still pretty cool to think we are somehow connecting with the Church universal and eternal through our worship songs. DCB cranks up the rock ‘n’ roll a tad on “The Nearness.” The six-and-a-half-minute monster track, “Eastern Hymn,” ebbs and flows like class-three white water rapids, as first swirling and spinning then appearing deceptively placid before suddenly exploding with excitement and maybe even a little danger. Very cool.

Songs like “The Veil,” “Birmingham (We Are Safe),” and the hard-edged “God Almighty, None Compares” break the mold of what many people perceive to be ‘church music.’ And that is really the point of this whole project. Church music should not just be what is played or sung on Sunday morning inside the four walls. Church music is vibrant, alive, broad and wide. It is creative and life-giving and reaches into every nook and cranny of society. Above all church music is good music with a great message of good news. David Crowder Band’s “Church Music” is all of the above.

Mike Parker covers entertainment for LifeWay.com from his home in Middle Tennessee. Visit him online at www.wordcrafts.net.

Share your thoughts with other readers:  Post Comments   Rate this Article