EXPANDING THE CHURCH'S MUSICAL HORIZON
The title of David Crowder*Band's fifth studio recording is not some tongue-in-cheek assertion by one of Christian music's least traditional artists about the Church's oft-traditional musical output. Rather, it's an honoring of the body of Christ's infinite musical possibilities by an incredibly diverse musical collective. Considered a "worship band" because of Crowder's longtime involvement with the Waco, Texas University Baptist Church and Louie Giglio's exclusive Passion roster, the band seeks to musically realize the notion that God inhabits the praises of His people. So for Christians living within the context of His Spirit, Church music is, in fact, everywhere.
A modern psalmist of sorts, the smart frontman once again poetically challenges worship music's acoustic roots by infusing current cultural influences—this time a fusion of dance, pop, electronic and rock music. The title track, a Studio 54-esque number, tempts the redeemed of the Lord to get up and dance! Retro wah pedaling and disco synth hits allure saints and sinners alike to occupy the dance floor in full-body praise.
The chorus of "Eastern Hymn" draws international inspiration from the band's world travels, using portions of a translated Chinese prayer book text in the chorus. And though Crowder's cover of Flyleaf's "All Around Me" may seem unusual, its selection is not surprising since lead singer Lacey Mosely can be heard contributing throughout.
The album's first single and most corporately geared track, "How He Loves," matches layers of heavy electric guitars and octave-chiming keys with a sweeping image of God's love, giving the chorus an effective crescendo: "We are His portion and He is our prize/Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes/If His grace is an ocean, we're all sinking."
Steeped in doctrines of redeeming grace, Church Music is simply an extension of David Crowder*Band's already anomalous hymnal.—Andrew Greer
