Check out the new concept album from Rusty Shipp!
Check out the new concept album from Rusty Shipp!

JFH Music Review




Oceans Above
Oceans Above



Album length: 15 tracks: 73 minutes, 38 seconds
Street Date: April 24, 2007


With modern worship music being a common avenue for praising our Heavenly Father today, it shouldn't surprise anyone a project like Oceans Above would surface. Producer Chad Howat, known best for his work as part of indie three-piece Paper Route, helms Oceans Above, an electronic pop rehash of popular worship songs originally penned and recorded by the top EMI contributors.

One of the problems first inherent with this project is the fact that most people have already heard the majority of these songs done over and over before - and better. The fact that you've heard "Blessed Be Your Name" how many times already makes yet another new rendition seem tired already. What Oceans Above does have going for it is it's sometimes musically interesting as Howat has fun rearranging each familiar song with electronic beats and boops. Unfortunately, it's just not enough to freshen these overplayed favorites (no matter how good the originals were). To make matters worse, much of the vocals on the project fall somewhere between weak and average, often sounding flat or without much range. And with a project that has as much conceptual potential as this one, good vocals are just as important as the album's new arrangements.

While the effort behind Oceans Above can be appreciated, and the concept may have sounded great during a brainstorming session, the outcome just doesn't really work. And upon listening to Howat's contributions to the far more intriguing Paper Route, it's hard not to notice that the qualities of both just don't match up.

- Review date: 4/11/07, written by John DiBiase




(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

 


. Record Label: Sparrow Records
. Album length: 15 tracks: 73 minutes, 38 seconds
. Street Date: April 24, 2007
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. Beautiful One
  2. O Praise Him
  3. Gazing
  4. Rain Down
  5. Filled With Your Glory
  6. Blessed Be Your Name
  7. God Of Wonders
  8. In Christ Alone
  9. Love Break Me
  10. Oh Lord You're Beautiful
  11. Everything About You
  12. Forever
  13. We Fall Down
  14. You And I
  15. Jesus Blood
spacer Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 

 

                 
Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

Search JFH



This Friday, July 4, 2025
ALBUMS
Chad Cory America [DREAM]
Tenielle Neda The Way Of Love [Wings]

SINGLES
Christian Back Now - Single [DREAM]

Next Friday, July 11, 2025
ALBUMS
Hammock Nevertheless (independent)
Jeremy Rosado The Waiting Room [Capitol CMG]
Seph Schlueter Counting My Blessings [Provident]
Stars Go Dim Roses [Curb]

SINGLES
Mountains in the Sea TBA - Single [DREAM Worship]
Joel Vaughn Get Over It - Single [DREAM]

VINYL
The Swirling Eddies Let's Spin! Vinyl [Girder]
The Swirling Eddies Outdoor Elvis Vinyl [Girder]
The Swirling Eddies Zoom Daddy Vinyl [Girder]



For all release dates, click here!
 

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images