Reviewed by Alastair McCollum

Atlanta, Georgia-based Catalyst Ministries declare their aim is to "energise and equip the next generation of leaders" for the Church. This album of what could be described as alt pop/rock anthems is an attempt to give a musical vocabulary to that ideal, new worship songs performed by a variety of vocalists in an energetic and powerful manner. It's not quite as trailblazing and innovative as the blurb would lead us to believe - Newsboys, Rebecca St James and others have trod this road before - and though it is a very good album with some great tunes it's not going to set the world on fire. The musical styles fall somewhere in between Coldplay and Avril Lavigne and lyrically and melodically it is well put together. The moving and uplifting piano ballad "Won't You Be My Love" by Thad Cockrell is the definite high point as it closes this 12 track selection with emotion and power. Also worth investigating are the anthemic pop rock of Laura Story's "What A Saviour", the upbeat acoustic guitar-led "A Thousand Amens (Doxology)" by Tim Timmons and David Walker's "Better Than I Know" which has just a touch of Death Cab For Cutie about it. A slice of anthemic pop with a worship twist.

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.

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INO records and Catalyst, a leadership development organisation, believed it was time to let the Church show us what songs are impacting this generation. They put the call out to worship leaders and songwriters all over the US: “Show us what is connecting in your community – the home-grown songs that are already impacting lives in your local churches – and we’ll make those songs available to the world.” Over 500 churches participated and 300 worship leaders submitted 750 songs. The powerful result is Catalyst Music Project.

Produced by Nathan Nockels and featuring 12 organic anthems – performed by the creators, along with artists like Phil Wickham, Laura Story, Fee and Heather Williams – Catalyst Music Project brings the songs of the people to the people like never before. It’s the best of the best of today’s innovative local church. The voice of the people emergent.