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

JFH Music Review




Tim Hughes
Holding Nothing Back



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 11 tracks: 49 minutes, 24 seconds
Street Date: April 3, 2007


When the author of such pervasive worship anthems such as "Beautiful One" and "Here I Am to Worship" comes out with a new album, there's a certain expectancy attached to it. You end up listening with the subconscious thought of "Hmmm… I wonder which one of these will be integrated into the worship at my church." So enters Tim Hughes' latest assembly of Heaven-directed praise.

Hughes describes his muses for Holding Nothing Back as various concepts of God he's personally encountered in the past few years. Whereas his previous release When Silence Falls lyrically focused on the hope for the desperate which God provides, his new songs focus more on God Himself, His greatness, His life shared with His people. So it's a natural progression, chronologically, from struggle and hope therein- to hope in continuing deeper in relationship with Jesus.

He's chosen an interesting set of collaborators this time around, including various co-writers on several songs. With guest vocals by Hillsong alumna Brooke Fraser and guitar work provided by Delirious? axe-man Stu G, the production value is evident. Perhaps too evident. The work as a whole feels polished to a glistening sheen, and I think the raw emotional praise Hughes was going for in his writing and vocals ends up glossed over. "God of Justice," for example, just tastes like it would have been better presented with just Tim and his guitar- earnest and simplified. Instead, every song is filled with a wall of sound, priming the sensation of Passion event-readiness. If you're looking for experimentation, or any sort of paradigm breaking- this is not the modern worship album for you.

But the songs are brewed for congregational use, with choruses full of lyrical repetition and melodies just catchy enough to flow with the message. The first half of the album is lively, with the kickoff track "Happy Day" in all its boisterousness… but doesn't really grab your attention and make you sing along until the beautiful "Out of the Darkness." There are plenty of great songs to facilitate your attention upward, but on occasion the over-production might prove more distracting than anything. Although there's marginal divergence from previous albums, it's still a good collection of praise and worship from one of the UK's modern legends in the genre.

- Review date: 4/2/07, written by David Goodman



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

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

 


. Record Label: Sixstepsrecords
. Album length: 11 tracks: 49 minutes, 24 seconds
. Street Date: April 3, 2007
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. Happy Day
  2. The Highest & the Greatest
  3. Everything
  4. Holding Nothing Back
  5. Clinging to the Cross
  6. Almighty God
  7. God of Justice
  8. Out of the Darkness
  9. Centre of It All
  10. Living for Your Glory
  11. Take the World
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

 

 

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