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Read the original review here.

Let me preface this one by saying Holy God is not Brian Doerksen's best album. It's occasionally a little pokey, the new songs aren't as strong as his best-known classics (though he's got a killer new arrangement of "Light the Fire Again" here), and as his first studio recording, the album generally lacks the energy of his other live recordings. That said, it's still much better than most in the worship genre, testament to Doerksen's musical inventiveness. He's vastly underrated as a songwriter/arranger for the church, very intentional in keeping worship music artful.

Artful, but also biblical. Doerksen's exploration of God's holiness is noteworthy in songs like "Holy God," "Be Unto Your Name," and "Triune God"—all huge anthems that place divinity and humanity into the correct context. I would've loved if the album was entirely about God's otherness. Instead, Doerksen chooses to dedicate the disc's second half to our relationship with God, stressing the point that while God is in another league in relation to us, he's still approachable, intimate, and caring. The songs follow suit—lyrically simpler and not nearly as grand, making the point that through Christ, sanctity and closeness can coexist.

Read the original review here.

I was bummed when Something Like Silas broke up, mainly because their only album, Divine Revelation, became one of my favorite worship albums of all time. I got happy again really quick when I learned that some members of the group reformed as Future of Forestry, taking the best of Silas' alt-rock passion and taking it to the next level. Granted, the new aggregate's debut is darker, moodier, and fiercer than its previous incarnation, but the urgent, euphoric sense of unbridled adoration hasn't gone anywhere. This is certainly the most alternative pick on our list.

Arguably so—we've got some others vying for that title this year! I actually like this a little better than Something Like Silas for it's moodier tone and the more poetic lyrics, making it more passionate yet subtle in its worshipful expressions. "All I Want" and "Gazing" are both knockout cries of the heart reminiscent of Delirious, and "Stay Beside Me" is a stirring, prayerful finale. There's even some Latin liturgy used in "Sanctitatis," showing how multi-dimensional this worshipful rock album is. Unfortunately, I fear for the future of Future of Forestry too upon news that guitarist Nick Maybury and bassist Luke Floeter have moved on. Hopefully the other two members will keep Future of Forestry aloft, because I believe they're on to something here.

Read the original review here.

I must confess, Andree, your review of this album led me to believe it would be more of the same—the typically energetic youth worship team, only with more missional lyrics. But then I finally listened, and the lyrical scope is still corporate-friendly, at least enough for youth worship. Also, considering how by the book so many of Hillsong's albums have been in recent years, United's first studio effort is surprisingly varied and dynamic. A solid rock effort with moments as worshipful as they would be live in concert—perhaps more so thanks to the reflective tone created in the studio.

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