In a day in age where the worship music movement has brought forth a lot of the same sounds with (sometimes) new lyrics, it's especially wonderful to occasionally find that new record that is not only different but phenomenal in lyrics, sound, and heart. Started in 1999 from members of their church's worship team, The Rock N Roll Worship Circus took their life-changing sets on the road taking their "worship circus" across the country. In 2000, they released an amazing independent record called Big Star Logistics which garnered attention from several labels and earned the band an ever-growing fan base.

Welcome to the Rock N Roll Worship Circus, the band's national debut recording, opens with driving "Loving You" which powerfully confesses, "...And when I dance with You I finally found my place/ It's so extraordinary in a normal way because I was made for loving You." The rousing "Party Song" calls wounded Christians and nonChristians alike back to the Father while celebrating the pending return of Jesus. The Monkees flavored "The Blood of Jesus" serves as an upbeat worshipful track that reminds us of the freedom we have through the precious blood Jesus shed on the cross. "Glorify the Son," a song which had been added at the last minute and serves as a powerful addition to the project is a reflective track powered by thoughtful strings and captivating lyrics.

The next four songs pick the tempo up a bit with the funky sounds of "Your Crown," the inviting "Come to the Father," the fun nonsense of "Come On Get Down," and the rollercoaster trip "Ride." "Open the Gates" sets up an atmosphere to lose yourself in as vocalist Gabriel prayerfully sings, "Lord, open the gates so Your people receive Your healing / Lord, open the gates / Cause when Your people sing, all of Heaven sings." The captivating track drifts into the powerful guitar-driven "The Undiscovered," an amazing worship tune divinely inspired by Psalms 96, 97, and 98. The tasty repetitious guitar riff carries the track along nicely, setting up an irresistible atmosphere that makes it unmistakably easy to connect with our Creator through worship. "Everybody Awake" is another fun and upbeat song about our anticipation for Jesus's return while "Telephone" is a southern-flavored straight-up rock and roll plea to Jesus for His presence and patience while attempting to connect with Him through prayer. The praise-soaked "We Sing Glory" appropriately closes out a fine debut recording by one of the most promising debut artists of the new millenium.

Welcome... will find a place in the stereo of any listener eager for something different to usher them into the presence of God through worship. Fans of The Monkees, The Violent Burning, Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Pink Floyd and "the glory days of rock and roll" will eat this album up. Don't miss this one!

- Review date: 8/7/02, written by John DiBiase