Matt Redman - Beautiful News

Published Thursday 1st March 2007
Matt Redman - Beautiful News
Matt Redman - Beautiful News

STYLE: Pop
RATING 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10
OUR PRODUCT CODE: 21159-8985
LABEL: Survivor SURCD5071
FORMAT: CD Album
ITEMS: 1
RELEASE DATE: 2007-01-02
RRP: £13.00

Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

When you look back, Matt Redman has recorded some amazing albums and in the process has introduced songs into the Church that have captured a generation. Songs like "Heart Of Worship" and "Blessed Be Your Name" are sung the world over so there is much anticipation amongst worshipers about a new studio set. And they won't be disappointed! Teaming up with the production duo Doubledutch aka Robert Marvin and Josiah Bell was a stroke of genius as artistically and musically this sees Redman moving on in subtle ways. He has to tread carefully since the whole purpose is to introduce new songs but at the same time, this album has a little more bite to it and the results are superb. Thematically, the 'Beautiful News', is of course, the Gospel message and these songs encourage the worshiper to be inspired to share the Gospel and to worship God in response to the message. Redman manages to combine both themes on the brilliant "Shine" which is one of the most immediate songs on the album. Martin Smith has teased Matt that he's not very good at writing fast songs, consequently the two most upbeat songs "All Over The World" and "Take It To The Streets" were both co-written with Smith with the Delirious? singer adding some vocals to the latter. "You Never Let Go" could almost be a "Blessed Be The Name" Part 2 as its words of encouragement of God's closeness in good a bad times are set to the catchiest chorus you'll be shouting at the top of your lungs three seconds after hearing it. At the centre of the album the co-write with Paul Baloche "A Greater Song" is classic Redman. The closing "If You Know You Are Loved" was birthed in spontaneous worship and fades out to reveal a hidden reprise of the title song. This time though it's done in Beatlesque style with a distorted vocal a la John Lennon. If only Matt was brave enough to let a little more of that kind of edginess into his music. Maybe next time. for now I reckon that 'Beautiful News' is his most artistically and spiritually complete album to date. His songwriting keeps getting better and musically he's stretched into some new places. Time will tell which of this collection of excellent songs catches the imagination of congregational worshipers. In the meantime, just spin the album and be inspired!

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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Product Description
Matt Redman is one of the most prolific songwriters in the church today. We are likely going to be singing his songs for generations to come. Blessed Be Your Name, The Heart Of Worship and Better Is One Day are just a few of his most popular songs.

On his latest CD, Matt communicates the Beautiful News of Christ that is certain to encourage, inspire and challenge God's people.

Reader Comments

Posted by Becca in Guildford @ 12:59 on Jan 22 2007

This is a really insightful cd; Matt Redman's ability to gel together worship and great music is as good, if not better, than ever in this cd.
"Greater Song" has become one of my favourite Christian songs, as it is filled with an amazing passion which is essential in worship music.
Songs like "Shine" show the absolute beauty of music, and how it can express what we feel so exactly in a way only worship can.
This cd makes it impossible to not sing along and begin to thank God for his blessings upon our lives.
I had thought that to top Matt's previous cds would be difficult, but to listen to this you know that God has inspired Matt to an even greater extent than ever before.
This is a cd that you can relax to, dance to and worship to, but most of all, listening to the lyrics Matt has written is to listen to someone so on fire for God that it can be nothing but an inspiration to all.



The opinions expressed in the Reader Comments are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms.

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