Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

JFH Music Review


Planetshakers, Heaven on Earth, Pt. Two - EP
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

Planetshakers
Heaven on Earth, Pt. Two - EP



Artist Info: Discography
Genre(s): Worship / Live
Album length: 4 tracks: 25 minutes, 25 seconds
Street Date: July 13, 2018


READER RATING:   


Over the course of the last two years and four projects, the members of the Melbourne, Australia-based worship collective, Planetshakers, have been parsing out their music to their fans via a series of live EPs. While this is certainly a valid way to bring the tunes to the masses, particularly here in the post-CD era, the quartet of releases in question were plagued by inconsistency, serving up can't-miss and best-skipped cuts in roughly equal measure. Not so with the second installment of the Heaven on Earth effort. Like its forebear, the latest extended player offers up four tracks recorded in the live setting. However, unlike Part One, the new offering bolts nimbly out of the starting gate and runs its course from start to finish with nary a miscue along the way.

The bracing leadoff number, "Move Out of My Way," finds the band in absolute peak form, riding an irresistible funk-filled groove that takes the basic classic R&B building blocks favored by everyone from James Brown to Morris Day and outfits them with a thoroughly modern post-millennial sheen that few true music lovers will be able to resist. "Electric Atmosphere" steers the proceedings in a slightly more dance-pop-inclined direction without forfeiting an iota of the irresistibly celebratory ebullience set down by the first song.

Following a pair of bracing entries like these with a ballad might otherwise be a sure-fire recipe for letdown, but given the grandness of its melody and poignant sincerity with which its simple, yet profound, lyrics are delivered, the beautifully aching "I Want Jesus" virtually guarantees that those who have made it this far will remain no less than completely engaged. And the ten-plus minute "Draw Close Again," which sounds the most like what most listeners hear on Christian radio, interjects its admittedly familiar worship-oriented aesthetic with a rock-solid pop sensibility and attention to dynamics that elevates it far above the typical pop/worship fare found in the Inspirational Top 40.

The project isn't perfect. In one or two places on the first two cuts, the band crosses over from mere tribute to that which might be considered borderline impersonation. And "Draw Close Again" would likely have been even that much more convincing had the band opted to shave off two or three minutes from its running time. Be that as it may, even with its less-than-perfect moments factored into the equation, Heaven on Earth - Part Two is no less than a hands-down winner, despite its (minor) flaws, and, when all is said and done, may just be the strongest and most consistent entry in the group's sizeable 17-year back catalog.

- Review date: 7/13/18, written by Bert Gangl of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

 

. Record Label: Venture3 Media / Planetshakers
. Album length: 4 tracks: 25 minutes, 25 seconds
. Street Date: July 13, 2018
. Buy It: Apple Music
. Buy It: iTunes
. Buy It: Amazon Music (MP3)

  1. Move Out Of My Way (Live) (3:55)
  2. Electric Atmosphere (Live) (3:27)
  3. I Want Jesus (Live) (7:41)
  4. Draw Close Again (Live) (10:20)

 

 JFH Album Sample Player

 



Leave a Comment

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 

 

                 
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

Search JFH



This Friday, November 7, 2025
ALBUMS
Gabby Barrett Carols and Candlelight (Deluxe) [Warner Music]
Biscuits Country Fried LoFi - EP [Circle Back]
Jekalyn Carr JEKALYN X LEGENDS [WayNorth]
DAMIAN DAMIAN [DREAM]
Every Nation Music Revive [NWN]
Josh Garrels Peace To All Who Enter Here, Vol. 2 (independent)
Amy Jay Mnemonics (independent)
JERUB The Wonder Years [Elevate]
JSP No More (independent)
New Wine Worship Praise King Jesus (Live from New Wine Festival) (independent)
Jeremy Rosado Feliz Navidad - EP [Capitol CMG]
(UN)WORTHY From the Belly of the Beast - EP (independent)

SINGLES
Dave Barnes Santa's Gotta Go - Single (independent)
Gracie Binion Gunpowder - Single [BEC]
Biscuits Country Fried LoFi - Single [Circle Back]
Blanca O Come, All Ye Faithful (Gloria) - Single [BEC]
Andrea Bocelli The Blessing (feat. Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes) - Single [Universal]
Steven Curtis Chapman Christmas Is All In The Heart (with CeCe Winans) - Single [The Fuel]
Cutright Gram Cracker - Single [Syntax]
Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors, Ellie Holcomb It Came Upon A Midnight Clear - Single [Magnolia]
Elevation Worship God I'm Just Grateful (feat. Chandler Moore) - Single [Provident]
FrenchyRiff Steps - Single [La Resistance]
Garett and Kate Serban O Holy Night / Holy Forever - Single [Bethel]
Good Things Collective Rejoice! - Single [Real Fun]
Hillside Recording Everlasting Father - Single (independent)
Ian Austin, Heather Suzanne Somewhere Far - Single (independent)
K3hlab Lord You Are - Single [Syntax]
Kelo The Break-Up - Single [Syntax]
Lakewood Music Rejoice Again (feat. Alexander Pappas) - Single (independent)
Colony House Life Goes On/You’re Right Where You’re Meant To Be - Single [LastDaze]
Ben Lawrence Moving (feat. Pyramid Park) - Single (independent)
Tasha Layton Christmas All Year Long - Single [BEC]
Life.Church Worship Tanto - Single (independent)
Limoblaze Esé - Single [Reach]
Myles Maestro falling 4 u - Single [Syntax]
Kevi Morse Yeen ain't wit it - Single [Syntax]
Jeannie Ortega Boyfriend - Single [Syntax]
Presence Music Band Who Knew (Gift Wrapped) [feat. Blake Whiteley] - Single (independent)
Prodi Da Prodigal Modus Operandi - Single [Syntax]
Road to Restoration, Fridayy The Truth - Single [BMG]
Sacrificial Betrayal Take Risk - Single (independent)
Zane Walls YOU ARE THE FIRE (feat. JontheKid) - Single (independent)
Rhett Walker Carol of the Bells - Single [BEC]

This Saturday, November 8, 2025
SINGLES
Seth Davey I Can't Sing it Loud Enough - Single (independent)

Next Friday, November 14, 2025
ALBUMS
Emery White Line Fever (Remastered) - Disc One (independent)
Kings Kaleidoscope Asaph's Arrows II EP [BEC]
Ronnie Martin Evergreen Melodie [Velvet Blue]
NF FEAR - EP [Capitol]
Blessing Offor To All A Good Night [Capitol CMG]
Rave Jesus I MET GOD ON THE DANCEFLOOR [Provident]
The Young Escape Not Done Yet [BEC]

SINGLES
Biscuits Drifting Off (Hayloft) - Single [Circle Back]
Richard Lynch Why Me Lord - Single [MTS]
NEEDTOBREATHE Where You Call Home - Single [Omnivore]
Hunter Plake Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Single [BEC]


For all release dates, click here!
 

Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase!
Need proofreading and editing help? We've got you covered! Click here to learn more
Check out depositphotos for royalty free images