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

JFH Indie Review

JFH Indie Inspection Review

Firma Collective

Firma Collective
Songs For Every Soul

Street Date: May 4, 2018
Style: Worship
Buy It: AmazonMP3
Buy It: iTunes



Worship acts have it pretty hard. There seems to be a typical trajectory of unforeseen popularity born from a specific sound, and whether or not an artist attempts to leave that pigeon-hole, either leads to unoriginality or failed reinvention. That's why there's always hope when a new group comes onto the scene, particularly when it is led in part by legendary engineer Tom Mgrdichian. Although Firma Collective certainly provides the sonic variety that one would hope for from a debut worship release, Songs For Every Soul mostly feels more like a hodge-podge of singles than a united vision.

A mere list of present instrumentation and styles reveals that there is a lot going on here: hymn "Mercy's Tree" features synths and bagpipes, blues tune "Faithful Lord" utilizes slide guitars and electronic percussion, and so on. It can be said that there is something for everyone here, but that quality makes for an overloaded, conflicted listen. That tension is noticeable even within individual songs - the aforementioned "Faithful Lord" puts off an attitude that doesn't match with the abstract vocal melody in the verse or the uplifting chord progression in the chorus.

Even though a lot of sonic ground is covered, the structure of the songs themselves feels very tired. There are a lot of subdued verses that lead into big choruses that are linked by bridges with builds. The only tune that shakes up this formula really well is the modern rendition of "Be Thou My Vision," which feels more like a continuous build than anything else. It's also supported by an intriguing meter, emotional mood, and a surprising mix of timbres. Still, the rest of the tracks are a lot more forgettable because of it.

It's hard to say that Firma Collective's Songs For Every Soul isn't well-executed. The performances are solid, the production is pristine, and the genre diversity is appreciated. On the other hand, this debut is a perfect release of how over-stuffing can actually take away from the intended impact of music. Every soul is likely to enjoy at least one of these songs, but reining in the ambition would have made this project feel much more cohesive.

- Review date: 5/7/18, written by Mason Haynie of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

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

 

 

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, July 11, 2025
ALBUMS
Jason Gray Greatest Hits (Acoustic) [Centricity]
Hammock Nevertheless (independent)
Pastor Mike Jr. CONFETTI & CONSPIRACIES [Rock City]
Jeremy Rosado The Waiting Room [Capitol CMG]
Seph Schlueter Counting My Blessings [Provident]
Stars Go Dim Roses [Curb]
Various Artists Summer Playlist Twenty-Five [Reach]

SINGLES
Mark Bishop There's A Medicine For That - Single [Syntax]
Broken Daisies Better Man - Single (independent)
ChristianXXII Back Now - Single [DREAM]
CXMMXNS Mighty To Save (feat. Bella-Taylor Smith) - Single [Provident]
Drenae Poof Be Gone - Single [Syntax]
goodwill. Tell Me More - Single [Syntax]
Grace Graber RUN - Single (independent)
Travis Greene x Andra Day Let Freedom Ring - Single [Tribl]
Amy Jay Can't Go Back - Single (independent)
JusJames Praise You (Celebration) - Single [Polished Arrow]
Kelo Critique (ft. DreBeeze Da Godson & Justice Jackson) - Single [Syntax]
Jamie MacDonald Desperate (feat. Lauren Daigle) - Single [Capitol CMG]
Myles Maestro 280ZX - Single [Syntax]
Steven Malcolm YES (feat. for KING + COUNTRY and KB) - Single [Curb]
Mountclear Jazz, Kris Crunk, Dave Cleveland, Gabriel Bello In The Presence of Jehovah - Single [StowTown]
NXTMIKE JESUS IS NOT YOUR GIRLFRIEND! - Single [Syntax]
Olive Trees Holy God - Single (independent)
Rachel Purcell New Name - Single [Centricity]
Q-Flo Get Up and Go (ft. Duprae) - Single [Syntax]
tonyxtrotter Rest - Single [Syntax]
Joel Vaughn Get Over It - Single [DREAM]
Brandon Watson Can't Help Myself - Single (independent)
Phil Wickham Song of the Saints - Single [Fair Trade]

VINYL
The Swirling Eddies Let's Spin! Vinyl [Girder]
The Swirling Eddies Outdoor Elvis Vinyl [Girder]
The Swirling Eddies Zoom Daddy Vinyl [Girder]

Next Friday, July 18, 2025
ALBUMS
Justin Gambino Just Like Jesus - EP [Residence Music]
The Inspirations Up Above The World So High [Horizon]
Mary-Clair Enough [Vere]
The Rocky Valentines Music On The Shelf [Velvet Blue]

SINGLES
Melvin Crispell III Reason To Dance - Single [Provident]
Crowder STILL (feat. Zach Williams) - Single [Capitol CMG]
Zane Walls Think About Me - Single [DREAM]



For all release dates, click here!
 

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images