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

JFH Music Review




Hillsong United
Look To You



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 13 tracks: 69 minutes, 23 seconds
Street Date: May 3, 2005


Modern worship has been thriving for years now since artists like Delirious? and Sonicflood helped pave the way for its recent surge in popularity. But its popularity has also lead to a flood of projects and albums that essentially are a lot of the same songs performed in the same style, with little variety or creativity. It's when a few artists do something different that a worship album can really stand out from the rest. But the mere fact a worship album may be mostly recycled material (in either song or just sound), does not render it useless. These records are worship tools for the masses, but will never satisfy everyone's tastes for worship music.

The Hillsong United band is Australia's number one worship group. Their new release follows their previous records More Than Life and To The Ends Of The Earth and presents twelve brand new songs. At first listen, it's pretty straightforward what kind of album United's Look To You is. Standard vocals, generic drum beats, and upbeat musical accompaniment set against the vibrant and bold praises of thousands of worshippers. The problem with a lot of live worship albums is they often possess an "I guess you should've been there" feeling. It's easy to feel a little out of the loop while listening to other's experiences of a particular Spirit-filled evening, but it can also be the springboard for your own personal experiences.

Look To You opens with "Salvation Is Here," which immediately sets the tone for the record. Lyrically, United has its heart securely in the right place, but musically gets lost in the sea of worship bliss. "All I Need Is You" slows the tempo drastically for a more delicate ballad that shows the stronger side of the United team, but the song suffers from some monotony before it draws to a close. "Shout Unto God" is more successfully anthemic, while "There Is Nothing Like" takes a more melodic approach, making these songs album highlights. The album closes on a high note with a powerful cover of Rich Mullins' classic "Awesome God."

United makes their audience as much a part of their worship set as their band is. While this makes for a loud and unified choral feel, it tends to allow the band leading the set to be drowned out almost entirely at times. Using the audience more as subtle background accompaniment may have strengthened a few songs, but many seem to have a bit of a muddled sound, particularly when the songs get more lively and call for more crowd participation.

All in all, Look To You is pretty much your standard live worship fare. Fans of their previous efforts will no doubt enjoy this release, especially since the album is primarily all new material. Major kudos to the United team for writing their own songs, but a few felt somewhat familiar despite being originals. Simplistic in delivery, but still worth a listen, don't be surprised to hear a few United songs in your church on a Sunday morning in the near future. I'd like to see more originality in United's songwriting and performance. It'd be ideal for the songs to exhibit worship completely through voice, music, heart, and spirit, all the while pushing the boundaries of artistry. But until then, there's Look To You.

- Review date: 5/1/05, written by John DiBiase



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

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

 


. Record Label: Hillsong / Integrity / Epic
. Album length: 13 tracks, 69 minutes and 23 seconds
. Street Date: May 3, 2005
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. Salvation Is Here
  2. Tell The World
  3. Look To You
  4. All I Need Is You
  5. All For Love
  6. Shout Unto God
  7. There Is Nothing Like
  8. What The World Will Never Take
  9. Only One
  10. Deeper
  11. Til I See You
  12. Rest In You
  13. Awesome God
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

 

 

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

Search JFH



This Wednesday, July 16, 2025
SINGLES
1K Phew Yet - Single [Reach]

This Friday, July 18, 2025
ALBUMS
Justin Gambino Just Like Jesus - EP [Residence Music]
The Inspirations Up Above The World So High [Horizon]
Mary-Clair Enough [Vere]
MotionPlus Improper Decorum [SoulFeeder, Polished Arrow Music]
Planetshakers Weight of Heaven [Venture3Media]
The Rocky Valentines Music On The Shelf [Velvet Blue]
Emilie Weiss Come Through (Studio Session) - EP [BEC]

SINGLES
Chris Caro OTW - Single [Syntax]
Aaron Cole Mercy - Single [RCAI]
Melvin Crispell III Reason To Dance - Single [RCAI]
Crowder STILL (feat. Zach Williams) - Single [Capitol CMG]
Ellie Holcomb Hope's Gonna Find You - Single [Capitol CMG]
Influence Music How You Do It - Single (independent)
Vic Lucas Holy Ghost (ft. Lady Audri) - Single [Syntax]
Paul and Hannah McClure Holy Hands (Live) - Single [Bethel]
Lizzie Morgan Can't Help But Praise - Single [Provident]
Kevi Morse Honest Cvlture ft. STIXX aka Conejo) - Single [Syntax]
Shekts Nelson Your Love - Single [Churchboy]
Blessing Offor Crying Out Loud - Single [Capitol CMG]
Remedy Drive Brighter Than Apathy (Reimagined) - Single (independent)
Rhymes in Harmony Lift Your Name - Single [Syntax]
Speedy the Artist Reach For Elohim - Single [Syntax]
Thrive Worship The One Who Saves - Single [Integrity]
Zane Walls Think About Me - Single [DREAM]

This Sunday, July 20, 2025
VINYL
King's X Manic Moonlight Vinyl [Girder]

Next Wednesday, July 23, 2025
ALBUMS
Eric Roberson Beautifully All Over The Place (independent)

Next Friday, July 25, 2025
ALBUMS
Anchor & Braille New Mexico [Equal Vision]
Bride Scarecrow Messiah CD Re-Release [Girder]
Olivia Lane Songs About Jesus (Deluxe Edition) [BEC]
Tasha Cobbs Leonard TASHA [Motown Gospel]
Josh Wright LEAD (independent)

SINGLES
Gracie Binion Easy To Please - Single [BEC]
Andrew Gonoude Closer To You - Single (independent)
Kings Kaleidoscope + Kings Kaleidoscope Hymns Amazing Grace - Single [BEC]
Tasha Layton Life In Me - Single [BEC]
Hunter Plake Down to Earth - Single [BEC]
Xander Sallows infinite - Single [DREAM]
Joel Vaughn Feel It - Single [DREAM]
Zauntee Jesus Down In Florida - Single [BEC]

VINYL
Bride Scarecrow Messiah Vinyl [Girder]

DVD
Jordan Smith The People's Hymnal DVD [Gaither]



For all release dates, click here!
 

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images