Reviewed by Peter Dilley

I have to admit to being curious generally when it comes to worship albums imported from the US (it's a cultural thing I'm afraid), but an overblown title can easily turn my caution into outright scepticism. "Praise and worship for the purpose driven church" is how this one describes itself - what's that supposed to mean? Call and response song "I Have A Hope" probably gives a reasonable picture of what Rick Muchow and his Californian band, choir and congregation are about - confident, upbeat sounds, with a band bolstered by the ell-polished horn section, so why interrupt it for a communal handshaking session? (Hardly works on CD, does it?)Net up are 'For I Know' and 'The Fruit Song' ('God's apple is love/His orange is patience... And my life is da bowl'), but such is the failure to get in the groove that they could win a MOBO award for the 'worst recorded pseudo-caribbean styling'. Things finally improve with the authentic (almost) gospel-flavoured 'Lives Are Changing' but even that struggles not to sink in the sea of MOR mushiness generated by the songs which surround it. Though this is still a cut above what used to be available a decade ago, far better live worship albums (from Hillsongs, the Parachute Band, Spring Harvest and the like) are now in plentiful supply.

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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