Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

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




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. 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
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This Friday, October 3, 2025
ALBUMS
BASECAMP Beautiful Like the Truth [Polished Arrow]
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Kristene DiMarco MEMORADUM - EP [Bethel]
Heath McNease Autumn Sessions, Vol. 2 (independent)
Mystical Death Carnation EP (Remastered) [Rottweiler Records]
Matt Redman Life & Breath [Integrity]
Thrive Worship Jesus Song - EP [Integrity Music]
Bay Turner Better Days - EP [Centricity Music]
John Van Deusen As Long As I Am In The Tent of This Body I Will Make a Joyful Noise Pt. 1 [Anotherland]

SINGLES
Gabby Barrett Ain't Supposed To Be - Single [Warner Music Nashville]
Mark Bishop Time To Let Go and Let God - Single [Sonlite]
Franni Cash Church Clothes - Single [Capitol CMG]
ChristianXXII & Futuristic Already Won - Single [DREAM]
Damian Back To You - Single [DREAM]
Dex the nerd who loves Jesus Salvation - Single [Syntax]
Drenae To the Cross - Single [Syntax]
Emerson Day This House Won't Fall - Single [Fair Trade]
Chris Ekiss Life's Biggest Questions - Single [Provident]
The Forerunner Manifesto (independent)
for KING + COUNTRY World on Fire (feat. Taylor Hill) - Single [Curb Records]
Forrest Frank JESUS IS COMING BACK SOON (feat. Josiah Queen) - Single [River House]
Vic Lucas Make a Way - Single [Syntax]
No Vain Glory MOVE YOUR BODY - Single [Syntax]
Nathan Oswalt MAKE UP YOUR MIND - Single (independent)
Drew Parker Blame Jesus - Single [Warner Music Nashville]
Razzie SHORTCUTS - Single [Syntax]
Shamash The Gulf Between Us - Single [Rottweiler]
Anne Wilson Carry Me - Single [Capitol CMG]
Zahriya Zachary Stay - Single [Bethel]

VINYL
Bleach Live/The Lost Show Vinyl (independent)

Next Friday, October 10, 2025
ALBUMS
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SINGLES
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Drakeford Writing on the Wall - Single (independent)
Amy Jay Back to What's Natural - Single (independent)
Run51 Song Of My Soul - Single [DREAM]
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Vineyard Worship & Dreaming The Impossible Praise You For Eternity - Single [Vineyard]


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