Get Your Music on Amazon!
Get Your Music - and everything else - on Amazon! All purchases made on Amazon through this link earn a commission for Jesusfreakhideout.com!

JFH Music Review


River Valley Worship, Million Lifetimes
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

River Valley Worship
Million Lifetimes



Artist Info: Discography
Genre(s): Worship
Album length: 12 tracks: 54 minutes, 53 seconds
Street Date: March 2, 2018


READER RATING:   


Minnesota band River Valley Worship has been quietly creating records independently for several years, but were picked up by BEC Recordings for their 2018 outing, Million Lifetimes. From the outside, it looks like another cliche worship endeavor, however, as you dive deeper into the album, you'll see the band has a sincere, burning passion for Christ -- and lyrical creativity that helps set it apart from other worship releases.

The album bursts out of the gate with two upbeat tracks, "Chain Reaction" and "All This Time." While both seem to be aimed at a younger audience, they aren't overdone to the point where an older listener wouldn't be able to worship along. However, as the album progresses, it starts to mature, both musically and lyrically. After slowing down for "Wanna Be Like You" and the title track, the album starts to find a groove as it beautifully meshes acoustic and electronic elements. Songs like "Hope Has a Name," "Clean" and "Calvary's Shadow" showcase the band's ability to shape worship cliches in a fresh and creative way, with lyrics such as: "Jesus Messiah / the Rose of Calvary / Trampled beauty / Your blood poured out for me / With a sound / grace echoed through the skies / It is finished / the cry of love divine." The album ends on a beautiful note with "Promised One" and "World Needs Jesus" - the latter being a passionate urge to spread God's light in this dark, hurting world. The message portrayed is clear: Jesus is the Answer, and He is the only answer to all the pain we all face in the world.

While the team over at River Valley Worship have created an enjoyable worship album, it has its flaws. Songs like "Chain Reaction" and "In Rhythm" just come off as bland and contrived compared to deeper tracks like "Clean" and "Victory," and hold the album back from what it could be. Generally speaking, Million Lifetimes definitely has its peaks, but unfortunately those peaks come along with some valleys in between. All in all, if you're looking for some fresh music to play during a service, or just a fan of the worship genre as a whole, you'll want to give this album a spin.

- Review date: 4/16/18, written by James Larsen of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Try Pop Culture Coffee!

 

. Record Label: BEC Recordings
. Album length: 12 tracks: 54 minutes, 53 seconds
. Street Date: March 2, 2018
. Buy It: iTunes
. Buy It: Google Play
. Buy It: Amazon.com (CD)
. Buy It: Amazon Music (MP3)

  1. Chain Reaction (3:51)
  2. All This Time (3:40)
  3. Wanna Be Like You (4:13)
  4. Million Lifetimes (4:34)
  5. Hope Has a Name (4:49)
  6. Clean (5:21)
  7. Calvary's Shadow (4:32)
  8. Victory (4:56)
  9. No Doubting You (3:37)
  10. In Rhythm (4:11)
  11. Promised One (5:21)
  12. World Needs Jesus (5:48)

 



Leave a Comment

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 

 

                 
Try Pop Culture Coffee!

Search JFH



This Tuesday, June 3, 2025
SINGLES
Sixpence None The Richer The Needle and the Damage Done - Single [Flatiron]

This Friday, June 6, 2025
ALBUMS
CCV Hollow (Deluxe) (independent)
Ben Fuller Walk Through Fire [Provident]
Hopeful. The Wild One - EP (independent)
Christy Nockels King Who Never Sleeps; Anthems for Rest [The Fuel]

SINGLES
7eventh Time Down My Will - Single [BEC]
Bill B. & Cyrus Sonata Kevlar - Single [Syntax]
Elan Brio I'm Satisfied (ft. Henry Israel) - Single (independent)
Aaron Cole NOBODY BUT GOD - Single [Provident]
Equippers Worship Living in Freedom (Live) - Single [DREAM]
Good Weather Forecast Pray - Single [DREAM]
Ic3rd & EJ Swavv Woke Up (ft. CJ Emulous & George.Rose) - Single [Syntax]
King David tha Vessel Consistant - Single (independent)
Brandon Lake Daddy's DNA [Provident]
Myles Maestro Flood (ft. Ace Savage & Shruumi) - Single [Syntax]
Mell Omii Wave - Single [Syntax]
Kevi Morse Mr. Pilot - Single [Syntax]
River Valley Worship Time For Revival - Single [BEC]
Roy Tosh Everything's Gonna Be Alright (feat. PEABOD) - Single [RMG Amplify]
Solachi Voz All I Need - Single [Syntax]
Emilie Weiss Genesis (Studio Sessions) - Single [BEC]
Ayiesha Woods I Have Hope - Single [Backsider]

VINYL
Ironwrath Master Storyteller Vinyl [Girder]

Next Friday, June 13, 2025
ALBUMS
Coqui Death to Your Ego [DREAM]
King's Hammer To Speak In Tongues - EP [Rottweiler]
Brandon Lake King Of Hearts [Provident]
Joel Vaughn Feel It - EP [DREAM]
War of Ages Eternal (15th Anniversary Edition) [Facedown]

SINGLES
CalledOut Music Worthy of It All - Single [Integrity]
Equippers Worship Garment of Praise - Single [DREAM]
Mainstream Worship Near - Single [DREAM Worship]



For all release dates, click here!
 

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images