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Breimeier: It really is that strong, though I fear most are responding to the songs more as rock than worship. Their forthcoming recording Now Is the Time: Live at Willow Creek will hopefully demonstrate to people how effective some of these modern anthems are once congregations become acquainted with them ("Our God Reigns" and "Solid Rock" in particular). Delirious continues to demonstrate that music intended to directly glorify God need not—and should not—be hackneyed and uninspired, but rather original and passionate.

Brian Doerksen (Integrity)

Read the original review here.

Breimeier: Some might be tempted to shrug off Live in Europe as a collection of Brian Doerksen's best songs in a concert setting, but this worship leader is simply too good to offer such disposable product. Drawing on a mix of old and new from his strong catalog, Doerksen once again strikes an impressive balance between creativity and practicality in the context of praise. You've simply never heard "Come Now Is the Time to Worship" performed this well.

Farias: Not only that, but the fact that it was a tour recording gives the disc a rawer "rock-show" feel than his more reverential concept albums. Still, Doerksen's sense of flow and liturgy haven't gone anywhere—the project is seamless from start to finish, and you can't help but be overtaken by the sense of awe and wonder that some of these songs evoke. Leave it to Doerksen to insert an oboe performance of a Bach composition in the middle of his set, and still make it sound like it belongs.

Charlie Hall (sixsteps/EMI)

Read the original review here.

Farias: Despite being the original lead worshipper at the Passion conferences, Charlie Hall has long remained the underdog of the movement behind the more popular David Crowder Band and Chris Tomlin. His approach to worship has always seemed more reserved and alternative, which might explain why his songs haven't been as widely embraced. Flying Into Daybreak proves he still is all of those things, but with more accessibility and tighter song-craft than ever before. This is easily Hall's best album yet.

Breimeier: It really is. The songs are experimental like Crowder, melodic like Tomlin, and then elevated by Hall's uniquely passionate delivery. "Micah 6:8" is a perfect example, adapting prayerful Scripture to Tomlin's anthemic style with a little more edge, and "Song of the Redeemed" is equally practical in praise expression, yet also ultra cool to listen to. I'd be a little surprised if this album doesn't break Hall's songs into more modern worship repertoires.

Hillsong Australia (Hillsong/Integrity)

Read the original review here.

Breimeier: We've been rather critical of the live albums from Hillsong Australia in recent years, but it seems justified in light of Mighty to Save. After a string of formulaic projects, the pioneering worship team offers their best work since 2002's Blessed. The overall pacing is more dynamic, the song styles more varied, the ballads more restrained in their length, and at long last, the mix sounds much cleaner. Time will tell if there's anything as influential as "Shout to the Lord" on it, but there are definitely some strong ones that I wouldn't mind seeing my church adding to the repertoire.

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