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

JFH Music Review


Rivers & Robots, Rivers & Robots Presents: Still, Vol. 1
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

Rivers & Robots
Rivers & Robots Presents: Still, Vol. 1



Genre(s): Worship / Instrumental
Album length: 16 tracks: 54 minutes, 27 seconds
Street Date: January 13, 2017


READER RATING:   


Hailing from across the pond in Manchester, worship band Rivers & Robots deliver their latest project with Still Volume 1. Jonathan Ogden and David Hailes take a step back from the microphone in this instrumental release (the first in a series by Integrity Music). While the idea of a worship band or artist releasing an instrumental album may not exactly be treading new ground, R&R endeavors to try with all of their signature sound, minus the vocals.

Before diving into details, it should be pointed out that Still Vol.1 did something very well on this album. A huge amount of mass-market instrumentals are floating around out there. These instrumentals are usually created by a few guys with a Casio and some time on their hands. Creating every instrument using a synthesizer or programmer is a terrible trend that has become prevalent in Christian instrumentals. This is the case largely because it's cheap and easy to do. R&R included real instruments--cello, violin and viola to name a few--and sound-wise, the proof is in the pudding. That being said, attempting to shine on any album of mostly hymn and worship cover songs is a daunting and difficult task for any artist.

The album gets going with "King Of My Heart." It becomes clear early on that most of these arrangements are lingering very close to their original composure. But, also, the formula for most every other song present (less so the interludes) is laid out in this opening track. Usually, this formula is a slow beginning with traditional instruments (piano or guitar) with an introduction of electronic sounds a little later as the song builds up and finally closes. "We Have Overcome" differs slightly in that the song starts with light programming arrangements from the beginning. Throughout the album there are three short interludes and it's truly a shame that they are so short. They become an interesting highlight in an often redundant routine. "Interlude 1" has a poppy, light jazz feel to it; "Good Good Father" offers a light blend of acoustic and electric guitars; and "The Lion And The Lamb" continues in the same soft tone. The cover of "Majesty" is another gem that shines. While the recording is somewhat simplistic, a cello complements it, giving it a rich sound. "Boldly I Approach" is a quiet, piano-led song leading into the second interlude. What the listener gets there is a beautiful string arrangement that sounds as if it were taken from a classical recording. "I Exalt Thee" and "Be Still" continue in the same gentle style leading to 90's worship favorite "I Could Sing of Your Love Forever." Again, all of this remains very formulaic and redundant throughout even a first listen. At times, it's reminiscent of an instrumental meant for lulling children to sleep. "Interlude 3," a very short piece, is followed by more of the same in "Saviour Of The World," "Lord Let Your Glory Fall," and "Lord I Need You." Finally, things wrap up with "Revelation Song," and while it does have a lovely string solo, it's too little too late in this long and often uneventful album.

So what's the takeaway? The music as a whole is recorded very well and there are a couple of gems found throughout the 16 tracks, but most of that is lost in slow traditional arrangements of often overplayed worship songs. For an instrumental worship album it does a fine job, but I have a hard time imagining anybody outside of R&R's already established fan base picking this one up.

- Review date: 4/5/17, written by Paul Nave of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

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

 

. Record Label: Integrity Music
. Album length: 16 tracks: 54 minutes, 27 seconds
. Street Date: January 13, 2017
. Buy It: iTunes
. Buy It: Amazon.com
. Buy It: Amazon Music (MP3)

  1. King of My Heart (4:25)
  2. We Have Overcome (4:24)
  3. Interlude 1 (1:37)
  4. Good Good Father (2:51)
  5. The Lion and the Lamb (4:02)
  6. Majesty (2:10)
  7. Boldly I Approach (The Art of Celebration) (3:48)
  8. Interlude 2 (0:49)
  9. I Exalt Thee (5:00)
  10. Be Still (4:38)
  11. I Could Sing of Your Love Forever (3:43)
  12. Interlude 3 (0:45)
  13. Saviour of the World (3:18)
  14. Lord Let Your Glory Fall (3:54)
  15. Lord I Need You (3:06)
  16. Revelation Song (5:57)

 



Leave a Comment

 

 

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 Friday, June 27, 2025
ALBUMS
7eventh Time Down We Praise You [BEC]
The Browns 25th Anniversary: Better Days Ahead [StowTown]
Franni Cash Wild Child - EP [Capitol CMG]
Matt Crocker interlude [Anotherland]
Jimmy Fortune Songs of an American Dreamer [Gaither]
Roxanne Grace Road Trip - EP [DREAM]
JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise The Live Reunion: Washington, DC [James Town]
Kutless The Seventh Seal - EP [BEC]
Evvie McKinney It Ain't Over - EP (independent)
Rusty Shipp Capsized Empire (independent)
SEU Worship A Forgiving God [Provident]
The Shimmering Carnelians The Doorway (Version 2.0) (independent)
We Are Messengers A Thousand Times - EP [Curb]

SINGLES
Anchor & Braille Rattlesnake - Single [Equal Vision]
ANTHNY imposter syndrome - Single [Provident]
Blanca Right On Time - Single [Curb]
Landry Cantrell & Elenee sunshine & rainbows - Single [DREAM]
Eddie Clark Never Content - Single [Syntax]
Colony House Atomic - Single [Roon]
Megan Danielle Preachin' To The Choir - Single [Provident]
Drea LP & OnBeatMusic Don't Try Me (DTM) - Single [Syntax]
ELI GABLE Glory Bound - Single [Capitol CMG]
Joseph Habedank Running to Me - Single [Daywind]
Lonnie Hunter Flow (Like A River) - Single [Uncle G]
Kashh Kade HELP - Single [Syntax]
KB x KEANU Keanu's Song - Single [Provident]
Tasha Layton Singing In the Dark - Single [BEC]
Tasha Cobbs Leonard The Hand That Keeps Holding - Single [Motown Gospel]
Claire Leslie Thank God I'm Not Alone (from Claire's Phone) - Single [Capitol CMG]
Tim Lovelace Celebration of America Medley (feat. Charlie McCoy) - Single [StowTown]
Lecrae Tell No Lie (feat. Jackie Hill Perry) - Single [Reach]
LO Worship The Perfect Love of Jesus - Single [Integrity]
Patrick Mayberry Thank The Lord - Single [Provident]
Michael Monroe John The Baptist (feat. Chris Renzema) - Single [Provident]
Alexander Pappas A Great Awakening / Un Nuevo Despertar - Single [Integrity]
PEABOD Summer in Seattle - Single [RMG Amplify]
Rave Jesus Walk On The Water Remix (From The Chosen) - Single [Provident]
The Rocky Valentines Nat Song - Single [Velvet Blue]
Tommy Royale, gio. Like Dat - Single [Capitol CMG]
Saints In Exile & Cutright My Dead End (ft. Jeannie Ortega, Luc DiMarzio, Jericko) - Single [Syntax]
Emilie Weiss Take Care (Studio Sessions) - Single [BEC]

DVD
Jimmy Fortune Songs Of An American Dreamer DVD [Gaither]

Next Friday, July 4, 2025
ALBUMS
Chad Cory America [DREAM]
Tenielle Neda The Way Of Love [Wings]

SINGLES
Christian Back Now - Single [DREAM]



For all release dates, click here!
 

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images