Reviewed by Tom Lennie

This is a re-release of Abundant Life's second album - which first appeared in 2003 - along with the DVD of that same live worship event. The majority of songs were penned by lead singer Lara Martin, although two of the more noticeable tracks - the upbeat "I Live To Worship" and "Each Beat Of My Heart" - were written and led by Mark Stevens and Bethan Stevens respectively. The DVD, as has come to be expected from this church, is a state-of-the-art, high quality production, full of colour and with good shots of lead players, the choir and the deeply participatory congregation. The sound also is full and accomplished, with energetic band, brass section and lively choir, and the set is finely produced. So what's the problem? Well, it all just seems a bit too polished and I don't warm to the way the worship team is elevated in such an obvious way. Moreover, the songs aren't particularly strong and not at all memorable. Despite the intimacy of the lyrics, somehow there appears to be something inauthentic-sounding (at least to my senses) with this style of worship. Certainly, I fail to connect with it in the way that I connect with so many good worship sounds out there.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

Interested in reviewing music? Find out more here.