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

JFH Indie Review

JFH Indie Music Spotlight Review

Sojourn, The Water and The Blood

Sojourn
The Water and The Blood

Album length: 12 tracks: 50 minutes, 47 seconds
Street Date: April 26, 2011
Official Site: SojournMusic.com


Hymns... the word can strike fear in the heart of the contemporary 21st century Christian or even bring a happy tear to the eyes of the weathered saint. For the worship collaborative Sojourn, it is something to be honored. With their latest release, they pay homage to 18th century hymn writer, theologian, and a legend of the faith Isaac Watts with The Water and the Blood.

While these are not new songs by any means, they are very different takes on them. A majority of the songs take on a very soulful and near bluesy sound; the title track "The Water and the Blood" is an excellent example of this with wailing guitars and beautifully blended vocals. Another strong sound is rooted in folk music and with the culture beginning to lean in the direction of Mumford and Sons; this could be a very good thing for Sojourn. "Blest Be the Lamb" and "Let Your Blood Plead for Me" are rooted deeply with folk elements but aren't necessarily strong vocally; on the bright side the music is great for easy listening and makes up the difference.

The stand out track is unarguably "Early, My God;" with a nearly out of tune piano, soft vocals, and the brutally honest lyrics, it's truly one of the most beautiful worship songs I've ever heard. As the vocalist sing's, "My spirit toils with this life's gloom and fights to stay the course. Remind me of that heavenly hour, when you first called me yours," it is such an incredible encouragement that God has not and will never abandon us!

There are some tracks that really don't stand out or even leave a great impression but still have a level of profoundness that is hard to come by in this day and age. To think that these lyrics were written between the late 1600's and early 1700's blows my mind. I wish more worship artists would listen to some of the old hymns and see the transparency that permeates them. I know some will still be apprehensive to listening to hymns but the truth is, if listeners want something with a fresh sound this might be what exactly what they need. Bravo Sojourn!

- Review date: 6/17/11, written by Ryan Barbee of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

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

 

. Record Label: None
. Album length: 24 tracks: 55 minutes, 24 seconds
. Street Date: April 26, 2011
. Buy It: AmazonMP3

  1. Absent from Flesh (5:29)
  2. The Water and the Blood (4:09)
  3. From Deep Distress (4:31)
  4. Compel My Heart to Sing (3:36)
  5. Let The Seventh Angel Sound (3:43)
  6. Oh God, Our Help In Ages Past (5:32)
  7. Deep In Our Hearts (4:21)
  8. Blest Be the Lamb (2:57)
  9. Death Has Lost Its Sting (4:40)
  10. Early, My God (2:54)
  11. Let Your Blood Plead For Me (3:39)
  12. The World Will Know (5:16)

 

 

 

go to main Indie review page
go to Indie Review Index

 

                 
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