David Crowder Band The Lime CD (sixsteps/Sparrow) Released March 2004 reviewed by Russ Breimeier

Sounds like … energetic and worshipful modern rock that blends elements of Delirious, Charlie Hall, and Sonicflood

At a glance … this little souvenir is primarily geared to serious fans, though the tremendous live energy between audience and artist shine through here more than the usual worship concert recording

The Lime CD gets its name by combining the material of two previous "quasi-unreleased EPs," recorded live from Passion worship tours: The Green CD and The Yellow CD. Mix the two colors together and voila. Although it's a tad surprising that David Crowder Band has released another recording just six months after last year's Illuminate, which is still going strong, you can't say that you don't get your $8 worth with more than 40 minutes of music over 8 tracks.

Things begin with the funk/disco-flavored medley of "Make a Joyful Noise" and "I Will Not Be Silent," one of the band's better arrangements. They offer a superior version of "Every Move I Make," as well as a raucously fun cover of Matt Redman's classic worship rocker "Sing Like the Saved." Redman's similarly lively "Undignified" from DCB's Can You Hear Us? album is also included, as are originals like the gently flowing "You Alone" and the thunderous surrender of "I Need Words/God of Wrath." Additionally, there are two b-sides from the Illuminate sessions: "End of October" is a forgettable instrumental used for the computer-enhanced portion of that album, but an acoustic demo version of "Heaven Came Down" more clearly reveals Crowder's strong acoustic guitar skills.

One big thing that keeps me from wholeheartedly loving DCB is their annoying overuse of DJ record scratches, as if it were as vital an instrument as the violin or saxophone to the Dave Matthews Band. However, The Lime CD reveals a key secret to their enormous popularity—their incredibly raw and infectious live energy, far stronger than anything you may have heard on the Passion worship albums. Such uncommon enthusiasm between band and audience makes this a good listen, even for the lukewarm DCB listener. However, this one is especially geared for the hardcore fans, to whom I heartily recommend it.

David Crowder Band The Lime CD (sixsteps/Sparrow) Released March 2004 reviewed by Russ Breimeier