Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!

JFH Music Review


Rend Collective, The Art of Celebration
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

Rend Collective
The Art of Celebration



Artist Info: Discography
Genre(s): Indie / Worship / Folk
Album length: 13 tracks: 61 minutes, 29 seconds
Street Date: March 17, 2014


Rend Collective is no longer an experiment. They are an established and influential group who continue making a name for themselves in adding flavor and meaning to the often-dull scene of worship music, and doing so without alienating the fan base of the "genre." And like any good group of artists, they have designed each of their works around a specific theme to add depth to their message. This time around, to contrast with the majority of worship music that seeks to evoke awe, wonder, and inspiration, the group seeks to infuse their music with an aura equally as important but often forgotten: celebration.

The Art of Celebration makes clear from the very first words ("We're choosing celebration / breaking into freedom / you're the song of our hearts ") what the intentions of the album are, and it is up to the group to follow through. "Joy" gets things off to a quick-paced and energetic start, and "Burn like a Star" picks up the pace even more (the latter being one of the collective's best songs to date). "My Lighthouse" proves to be a very worthy selection as a lead single, with it, and the following "More Than Conquerors," slowing things down to an appropriate pace before the more vocally-driven "All That I Am."

At this point, the album starts to lag a bit too much energy-wise, dangerously approaching levels not unlike today's more stagnant pop/worship acts (I won't name names, but I'm sure you can imagine). Thankfully, "Create in Me" picks the pace back up and makes things more interesting in their joyful declaration "You're not finished with me yet!" "Strength Of My Heart" follows with a song that is without a doubt the most mainstream-sounding worship song I've heard from the Collective, with generic structure, orchestration, vocal stylings, and lyrics. Thankfully, "Simplicity" and "Boldly I Approach Thee (The Art Of Celebration)" finish the album on a strong note with the former a sparsely-instrumented track for quiet worship and the latter an ably-adapted hymn rendition with an addendum to tie the album all together. As bonus features, Rend Collective also features a live version of "My Lighthouse" and a remix of the opener, "Joy."

Lyrically, Rend Collective doesn't really break any new ground. In all honesty, I might even go as far as say Rend Collective's lyrics don't really rise to any level above the standard in modern worship of simply stating and restating oft-used metaphors and phrases of worship and glory to God. But this knock against the album is no gross misdemeanor, but merely akin to a parking ticket as an offense. Musically, Rend Collective makes up a lot of ground through their infusion of energy and joyfulness with their usual eclectic and creative instrumentation.

All in all, The Art of Celebration is truly is a solid release. It set out on an ambitious mission to infuse celebration back into worship that, while it didn't fully see trhough due to overlong periods of lagging, was a valiant effort at success. Perhaps The Art Of Celebration isn't the best the Collective has offered, but fans of the group will find it hard to dislike, as will the band's worship base.

- Review date: 3/16/14, written by Mark Rice of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!

 

. Record Label: Integrity Music
. Album length: 13 tracks: 61 minutes, 29 seconds
. Street Date: March 17, 2014
. Buy It: iTunes
. Buy It: Amazon Music (MP3)
. Buy It: Amazon.com (Vinyl)
. Buy It: Amazon.com (CD)

  1. Joy (3:58)
  2. Burn Like a Star (4:08)
  3. My Lighthouse (3:44)
  4. More Than Conquerors (5:21)
  5. All That I Am (3:37)
  6. Immeasurably More (5:33)
  7. Finally Free (4:57)
  8. Create In Me (3:40)
  9. Strength of My Heart (5:07)
  10. Simplicity (5:18)
  11. Boldly I Approach (The Art of Celebration) (6:02)
  12. My Lighthouse (Live) (5:39)
  13. Joy (Remix) (4:25)
spacer     Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics

 

Leave a Comment

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 


(JFH Sponsor Spot)

 

 

                 
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!

Search JFH




This Friday, November 8, 2024
ALBUMS
Gabby Barrett Carols and Candlelight [Warner Music Nashville]
CXMMXNS CXMMXNS Chapter 1 - EP [Essential Worship]
New Hope Oahu There Is One - EP [DREAM]
Neal Morse & The Resonance No Hill For A Climber [InsideOut]
TAKE Time Bomb [Resuscitation Records]
Lauren Talley A Lauren Talley Christmas [Horizon]

SINGLES
Cory Asbury I Hope You Dance - Single [BEC]
Jordan Kauflin, Laura Story Approach, My Soul - Single [Getty]
Sam Bowman & GLADDEN Misfit Toys - Single [DREAM]
Wavorly Enemies - Single (independent)

VINYL
Michael W. Smith Every Christmas Vinyl [Rocketown]
Stryper To Hell with the Amps Vinyl [Frontiers]
TAKE Time Bomb Vinyl [Resuscitation Records]

DVD
Stryper To Hell with the Amps Blu-Ray [Frontiers]

Next Friday, November 15, 2024
ALBUMS
Dolly Parton & Family Smoky Mountain DNA – Family, Faith & Fables [Owepar Entertainment]
The Lore Family Faith Over Fear [Horizon]
Fernando Ortega For All the Saints - EP (independent)
Earnest Pugh Worth is the Lamb
We Are Messengers Rejoice! (A Celtic Christmas) - EP [Curb]
Paul Wright III Reverie [United Alliance]

SINGLES
Big Dismal Here In My Heart - Single (independent)
Hannah Kerr It Came Upon A Midnight Clear - Single [Curb]
Olivia Lane Silent Night - Single [BEC]
Tasha Layton Wake Up It's Christmas - Single [BEC]
Jamie MacDonald A Million Chances - Single [Capitol CMG]
Ronnie Martin On Christmas Morning - Single [Velvet Blue]
Hunter Plake Daylight - Single [BEC]
Jordan St. Cyr Christ is Here - Single [BEC]

VINYL
Sixpence None the Richer Divine Discontent Vinyl [Word]



For all release dates, click here!
 



Check out the new album from Taylor Holland Armstrong!



Listen to the new Single from Second Adam and the New Creations!

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images