ALM - Name Above All Names
Artist:
Title:
Name Above All Names
Type:
Album
Released:
15 Jun 2010 (US), 30 May 2010 (UK)
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Review
Abundant Life church in Bradford is one of England's most thriving and outgoing churches. Its worship team, known as ALM-UK (Abundant Life Music) have just released a worship album called 'Name Above All Names'. With a highly respected producer on board in Bernie Herms, who has worked with the likes of Casting Crowns and Phillips Craig & Dean, and songs written and performed by some highly talented worship pastors in Mark Stevens, Matt Hooper and Jock James, this album certainly has the potential to be something special.
In the CD insert ALM write, "This album comes to you from the worshipping...
Read More Abundant Life church in Bradford is one of England's most thriving and outgoing churches. Its worship team, known as ALM-UK (Abundant Life Music) have just released a worship album called 'Name Above All Names'. With a highly respected producer on board in Bernie Herms, who has worked with the likes of Casting Crowns and Phillips Craig & Dean, and songs written and performed by some highly talented worship pastors in Mark Stevens, Matt Hooper and Jock James, this album certainly has the potential to be something special.
In the CD insert ALM write, "This album comes to you from the worshipping heart of a church whose one desire is to glorify our great and awesome God! We pray these songs will inspire you to grow in grace and fall more deeply in love with Jesus the 'Name Above All Names!'."
'Great And Glorious' is a great upbeat opening track with a rock crowd singalong chorus of "My soul sings, my soul sings hallelujah. God great and glorious you are". Very early on with this album you notice the musical excellence of the band. This isn't just a half baked church album put together on a whim. It's a serious, professional representation of music performed at the highest level. Full credit should be given to ALM for their sheer talent in this respect, which is equally evident in 'God Is For Us', which begins with some very U2 sounding guitars and drums. The unique vocals of the lead singer on this track gives it a distinct edge, combined with an almost disco styled bridge leading to the chorus.
'Be Glorified' is a quieter, more simple worship song that would fit well in a congregational setting, whereas the opening two songs are more about a band performance. The lovely chorus, "Jesus, be glorified in the earth", is great to sing and later in the song there's a fabulous instrumental guitar section.
Title track 'Name Above All Names' is another worship track well suited to a church service, whilst still maintaining enough opportunity for the band to really go to town in their performance on this recording. Then with 'Back To You' it's back to the full rock band treatment with great rolling drums and high pitched guitars, plus another superb chorus; "Amazing grace has saved, unfailing love has brought me back to You. My heart is surrendered".
'My God Reigns' is without a doubt a stunner. Quiet, at times prayerful, and something you can either listen to or sing to, and feel the presence of God. Of all the great songs on this album, this is the one that stuck around in my head once I turned the CD off. I found myself singing the chorus hours later.
'You Are' is a beautiful cry to God. "You are strength for those in need. You are defender of the week. You are everything we need. You are our God". Simple but effective and beautifully played by the band. 'Forever Be Praised' borders on rock, but is definitely another congregational worship song. More fantastic guitar work, another strong chorus, and an all round great song. Finally, 'First Love' is a quietly played love song to God, reflecting on Jesus' death on the cross for us. It continues to well over 6 minutes in length, but a fitting way to end a great worship album.
This is easily a five star album with more than its fair share of stand out tracks. Seriously, I could have named 6 or 7 of these 10 songs as album highlights. At the start I said it had the potential to be special, and it most certainly fulfills that potential, and then some. Well worth buying.
Review by Dave Wood
LTTM Rating 5 out of 5 Stars
Stand Out Tracks
Great And Glorious
Back To You
My God Reigns Articles
ALM:UK will release a brand new studio worship album titled 'Name Above All Names' on 30th May in the UK and 30th April in the US. ALM:UK (Abundant Life Ministries) is the worship team of Abundant Life Church, a thriving church…
