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


Elias Dummer, The Work, Vol. 1
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

Elias Dummer
The Work, Vol. 1



Artist Info: Discography
Genre(s): Worship / Folk Rock / Pop Rock
Album length: 11 tracks: 45 minutes, 55 seconds
Street Date: February 8, 2019


READER RATING:   


Having already established himself as a gifted songwriter and worship leader, Elias Dummer, formerly of The City Harmonic, is set to release his debut solo record, The Work Vol. 1. For those who may be unfamiliar with his past work, The City Harmonic was one of the more artistically ambitious worship acts to come out at the start of the 2010s. During their run, they arguably perfected the balance between creativity and congregational accessibility with songs like "Holy (Wedding Day)," "Praise The Lord," and "Maranatha." As a solo artist, Dummer doesn't stray too far from the formula of his previous band and this makes his solo debut both a welcome inclusion to his discography and a venture that could leave some listeners potentially wanting a little more.

Musically, The Work Vol. 1 is a relatively straightforward listen with plenty of lyrical nuggets for worship fans to chew on. As previously mentioned, the record largely borrows from Dummer's work with The City Harmonic, blending anthemic choruses with lush, piano-based instrumentation. In this case, the songs are built around a slightly more acoustic foundation which gives the record a more inviting and intimate character. It's a musical trait that some of the Harmonic's songs were admittedly lacking, so it's great to see Dummer soften things up a bit more here.

Where the album lacks most is when it follows the loud and declarative formula a little too closely. The chorus of "As a Saint," for example, feels stale and uninspired in its execution. Likewise, "This Is Holy Ground" fails to stand apart from its contemporaries in any meaningful way. As a whole, many of these tracks possess moments that shine above the rest, but there remains something that keeps them from being fully realized. Before "Heartbeat" circles back around to its underwhelming chorus, it delves into a beautifully emotional bridge that is undeniably effective. Moreover, "Less Of Me" tells a similar story as it walks along sluggishly until it reaches its splendid bridge.

On the other hand, fans can rest assured that, for the most part, The Work Vol. 1 is a great addition to their worship setlist. Lead single "Enough" has really struck a chord with this reviewer, featuring a wonderfully singable chorus and lyrics that many of us need to be reminded of every day. "I am not what I make, I am who you have made me to be / I am not what I've done, I am loved unconditionally / I am not loved by the measure of love that I bring / I am not who I know, I am known by the King of all Kings." The record's title track is also a profound statement on grace, works, and the putting away of the old self. "So here's my fear and trembling: I will never be enough / & you've no expectation that when all the work is done That I'll have done it on my own / With a helping hand I found on my own arm / For me, the hands of grace are pierced with pride / It ain't easy for the self to die."

It's exciting to see one of modern worship's best artists continue to make music after the departure of his former band. Although steps can certainly be taken to carve out a unique identity in this overpopulated genre, Dummer's debut as a solo artist is an early highlight of the year.

- Review date: 2/6/19, written by Lucas Munachen of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

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

 

. Record Label: distributed by Integrity Music
. Album length: 11 tracks: 45 minutes, 55 seconds
. Street Date: February 8, 2019
. Buy It: Apple Music
. Buy It: iTunes
. Buy It: Amazon.com (CD)
. Buy It: Amazon Music (MP3)

  1. Enough (5:11)
  2. As a Saint (4:05)
  3. Heartbeat (4:41)
  4. What Are We Waiting for? (3:56)
  5. The Work (It Ain't Easy) (3:11)
  6. Less of Me (3:59)
  7. Free (3:38)
  8. Do Not Be Afraid (0:51)
  9. This Is Holy Ground (5:00)
  10. The Simple Truth (5:04)
  11. Invisible (5:18)

 

 JFH Album Sample Player

 



Leave a Comment

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 

 

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

Search JFH



This Friday, July 25, 2025
ALBUMS
Anchor & Braille New Mexico [Equal Vision]
B. Tee Told You [Syntax]
Bride Scarecrow Messiah CD Re-Release [Girder]
Empowered SALT - EP (independent)
Homesick Prodigals Different Good (independent)
KDNS After Eden [Syntax]
Olivia Lane Songs About Jesus (Deluxe Edition) [BEC]
Tasha Cobbs Leonard TASHA [Motown Gospel]
Kevi Morse Kingston We Winning [Syntax]
Pulpit Vomit Hospital Lens [Rottweiler]
Anthony & Tiffany Salerno Dance for Jesus - EP (independent)
Taylor & Co Worship Breakthrough - EP (independent)
Josh Wright LEAD (independent)

SINGLES
abenezer i was lost - Single [Gotee]
Joe L Barnes Good Shepherd (Studio Version) - Single [Provident]
Sho Baraka Still Got Faith (ft. L3xdivine) - Single [Syntax]
Gracie Binion Easy To Please - Single [BEC]
Katty Camargo Shine Upon Me - Single (independent)
The CCC Collective Thankful - Single (independent)
C4 Crotona Mr. Gritty - Single [Syntax]
CXMMXNS Trust and Obey (feat. CAIN) - Single [Provident]
EJ Swavv & Nickwit2Ks Growth - Single [Syntax]
Forrest Frank GOD'S GOT MY BACK - Single [River House / 10K]
Andrew Gonoude Closer To You - Single (independent)
Noah Paul Harrison Oh Lord My God (Live) - Single [Bethel]
J.Solo All I Have (ft. Kaboose & MotionPlus) - Single [Syntax]
Kings Kaleidoscope + Kings Kaleidoscope Hymns Amazing Grace - Single [BEC]
Tasha Layton Life In Me - Single [BEC]
Lecrae Bless You (feat. Torey D'Shaun) - Single [Reach]
TobyMac God Did It (feat. Jamie MacDonald) - Single [Capitol CMG]
Matt Maher Wait (Radio Version) - Single [Provident]
Hunter Plake Down to Earth - Single [BEC]
QEW JOYXFIX (ft. Stevie Rizo) - Single [Syntax]
Naomi Raine God Will Work It Out - Single [Tribl]
Rave Jesus Runnin' - Single [Provident]
Saints in Exile Bad Vibes - Single [Syntax]
Xander Sallows infinite - Single [DREAM]
Silent Reflection Left Me for Dead - Single [Syntax]
Michael W. Smith Your Love Is A Flood - Single [The Fuel]
John Stratton The Body and the Blood - Single [Pure Mosaic Services]
Regina Vandereijk You're the Light - Single (independent)
Joel Vaughn Feel It - Single [DREAM]
Zach Williams Killed A Man - Single [Provident]
Zauntee Jesus Down In Florida - Single [BEC]

VINYL
Bride Scarecrow Messiah Vinyl [Girder]

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

This Saturday, July 26, 2025
SINGLES
Anthony & Tiffany Salerno What Would You Do? - Single (independent)

Next Friday, August 1, 2025
ALBUMS
Crash Rickshaw Big Sir - EP [Velvet Blue]
McKamey Legacy Holding to Truth [Horizon]
Ordained Thunder Roar [Girder]
V1 Worship Archives [DREAM Worship]

SINGLES
Dan Bremnes Human - Single [Curb]
Lauren Daigle Let It Be A Hallelujah - Single [Centricity]
Sleeping At Last Believe - Single (independent)

VINYL
Disciple Attack! (Limited Run Vinyl) Vinyl [Girder]



For all release dates, click here!
 

Join honey and save on online purchases!
Get all of JFH's indie compilation now totally free!
Check out depositphotos for royalty free images