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

JFH Music Review




City On a Hill (2): Sing Alleluia
(Various Artists)



Album length: 13 tracks: 44 minutes, 08 seconds
Street Date: February 19, 2002


In 2000, Essential Records put together City On a Hill, an amazing project of collaboration between such heavy-hitting artists like Jars of Clay, Third Day, FFH, and Sixpence None the Richer. It was such a phenomenal project, that it's no wonder a sequel was put into motion the following year. February 2002 debuts City On a Hill: Sing Alleluia, the second installment in what might just become a regular series.

City On a Hill 2 has one problem... it's a sequel. When a motion picture comes to the theaters and does extremely well due to its uniqueness, intrigue, originality; the success usually demands a follow-up film. The sequel is made, usually trying to be bigger and better, but not always, and usually the film pales in comparison to its predecessor. The sequel might be good, or maybe even as good as the original, but because we've already seen something like it before, the wonder that the first possessed is not present in the second. City On a Hill 2 is no exception to the sequel rule, however, it's still an excellent record.

Naturally, it seems only right to compare the two somewhat, although Sing Alleluia does indeed stand alone well by itself (probably the reason why they didn't officially name it City On a Hill 2). The album kicks off with "All Creatures of Our God and King," a short choral prelude which doesn't nearly have the impact that "God of Wonders" did on the original, however, it creates a new feel for this COAH record that differs from the first. Probably the sweetest song follows, the title track "Sing Alleluia!" This time around, Jennifer Knapp is on board and in this track joins Third Day's Mac Powell, and solo artist Nichole Nordeman. Absent this time around who were featured on the first is Sixpence None the Richer and Gene Eugene (who passed away). The creative minds behind the project are still the same. A lot of the writing for both projects was done by Marc Byrd, known best for being lead singer, lead guitarist, and songwriter for the band Common Children. This is an especially interesting fact when listening to "Holy Is Your Name," a song written by Byrd that sounds exactly like a Common Children song (so if you like this song, chances are you'll love Common Children's 1998 record Delicate Fade). Here, instead of Byrd, vocal talents from Bebo Norman, and Caedmon's Call's Cliff and Danielle Young join forces to even sing the melodies like Byrd might. "Holy is Your Name" is still also another album highlight.

Nichole Nordeman's vocals drift through "You Are Holy," a nice COAH addition. Third Day's Mac Powell teams up with Fernando Ortega on "Our Great God," yet another strong offering, followed by Derek Webb of Caedmon's Call's "Marvelous Light," joined by Sandra McCracken. Jars of Clay's "The Comforter Has Come" is next, a song that was actually first featured on a CD released last fall entitled The Renewal. Jars played a more collaborative part on the first COAH, but "The Comforter..." still fits in nicely here.

A nice list of 13 songs which alone is a great collection and a nice follow-up to the debut City On a Hill project, but doesn't exactly top the original. Nevertheless, City On a Hill: Sing Alleluia is still a great modern worship project that shouldn't be overlooked.

- Review date: 2/5/02, written by John DiBiase of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

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

 

City On a Hill 2 CD

Buy This CD Online


. Record Label: Essential Records
. Album length: 13 tracks, 44 minutes and 08 seconds
. Street Date: February 19, 2002
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. All Creature Of Our God and King - (Choral
    Prelude)
  2. Sing Alleluia! - Jennifer Knapp, Mac Powell
    (Third Day), Nichole Nordeman
  3. Holy is Your Name - Bebo Norman, Cliff
    and Danielle Young (Caedmon's Call)
  4. You Are Holy - Nichole Nordeman
  5. Our Great God - Mac Powell, Fernando
    Ortega
  6. Marvelous Light - Derek Webb
  7. The Comforter Has Come - Jars of Clay
  8. Shine Your Light - Nichole Nordeman, FFH
  9. Hide Me In Your Heart - FFH
  10. Hallowed - Jennifer Knapp with Phil Keaggy
  11. Lift Up Your Hearts (Sorsum Corda) - Derri
    Daugherty (The Choir) and friends
  12. Communion - Cliff and Danielle Young, Phil
    Keaggy
  13. All Creature Of Our God and King - (Choral
    Postlude)
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

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 


(JFH Sponsor Spot)

 

 

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

Search JFH




This Tuesday, November 19, 2024
SINGLES
Mat Kearney Certainty - Single (independent)

This Wednesday, November 20, 2024
ALBUMS
1K Phew Let Go Let God: The EP [Reach]

SINGLES
Drew & Ellie Holcomb High Seas - Single [Magnolia]
Sleeping At Last Let It Snow - Single (independent)

This Thursday, November 21, 2024
ALBUMS
The Choir Translucent (independent)

SINGLES
Wilder Woods Curioso [Dualtone]

This Friday, November 22, 2024
ALBUMS
Coqui I'll Still Have Christmas Day - EP [DREAM]
for KING & COUNTRY A Drummer Boy Christmas (LIVE) [Curb]
The Kingsmen Decades: Vol. 3 & 4 [Horizon]
Jonathan McReynolds Red & Green - EP [Capitol CMG/Motown]
NEEDTOBREATHE Acoustic Live Vol. 1 (CD Reissue) [Omnivore]
NEEDTOBREATHE Live From The Woods (CD Reissue) [Omnivore]
R.kitect Vicious Circles - EP (independent)
Run51 Let's Celebrate - EP [DREAM]
Van Zant Always Look Up [Frontiers Music]

SINGLES
7eventh Time Down I Speak Jesus - Single [BEC]
99 APEX Find A Way Freestyle - Single [Syntax]
Cory Asbury You're Still The One - Single [BEC]
Ashes Remain Lost Light - Single [BEC]
Paul Baloche Angels We Have Heard On High/Glorious (feat. Sarah Kroger) - Single [Integrity]
Elan Brio Sun Rays - Single (independent)
Amy Jay And So It Goes - Single (independent)
Jericko Holy Ground - Single [Syntax]
Reece Lache' Energy - Single (independent)
Vic Lucas Presha - Single [Syntax]
Cliff & Antoinette Murray O Emanuel - Single [DREAM]
Procyse, Dave A. You’re Not Free - Single [Polished Arrow]
River Valley Worship This is Our Jesus (feat. Moriah Christian) - Single [BEC]
Vineyard Worship Royal Son - Single [Integrity]

VINYL
NEEDTOBREATHE Acoustic Live Vol. 1 (Vinyl Reissue) [Omnivore]
NEEDTOBREATHE Live From The Woods (Vinyl Reissue) [Omnivore]

Next Thursday, November 28, 2024
VINYL
Van Zant Always Look Up Vinyl [Girder]

Next Friday, November 29, 2024
ALBUMS
Sixpence None the Richer Dawn of Grace (Deluxe) [Flatiron]
Thrive Worship Christmas, Vol. 2 - EP [Integrity]

SINGLES
ICF Worship Light of the World - Single [Integrity]
Selah Glory Hallelujah (feat. Mike Weaver) - Single [Integrity]
Slow Salvation The Ghost of Christmas Past - Single [Velvet Blue]
Uche Agu, Revival Today Worship Medley of Hymns - Single [DREAM]

VINYL
Sixpence None the Richer Dawn of Grace (Deluxe) Vinyl (Record Store Day Exclusive!) [Flatiron]



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