 Fee
We Shine (INO Records)
Released September 2007
reviewed by Russ Breimeier
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Sounds like … the anthemic and upbeat modern worship of Passion artists like Chris Tomlin, David Crowder Band, and Charlie Hall, not to mention Jeff Deyo, Tim Hughes, and Sonicflood.
At a glance … a fairly good modern worship album for fans of Passion wanting more of the same, but the patterned songs don't really set Fee apart from a slew of other similar-styled worship artists.
Steve Fee may not be on the sixsteps record label with Chris Tomlin and David Crowder Band, but as a friend of Louie Giglio for over ten years, he's been a part of the ever-growing Passion worship movement from its inception. He also comes from Atlanta's increasingly influential Christian music scene, serving as an artist-in-residence at North Point Community Church (home to many a Passion artist).
So having developed his songwriting skills with time and experience, the worship leader formed an eponymous band and has finally stepped outside the Passion tent. And because sixsteps is more focused on expanding Passion's reach than its artist roster, Fee signed instead with INO Records to release a slightly reworked version of his second independent album Burn for You, now titled We Shine.
As long as you're completely in love with today's modern worship style, this album is for you. "Victorious," "You Are the Light," and "Lift High" are respectively similar to Tomlin's "Made to Worship," "Famous One," and "Uncreated One" by the strength of their melodies. There's also a good cover of Tim Hughes' "Happy Day," and though the ultra-catchy "Faithful" is an original from Fee's congregation, it feels like a long beloved Passion standard. And the band manages to capture some of their live energy through fast-paced anthems like "We Shine" and the raucous rallying cry "Broadcast."
The songs are effective for anyone craving more of the same in modern worship, but sometimes they emulate the music too well. In addition to the influence of key Passion artists, "Burn for You" mimics U2's "Where the Streets Have No Name" way too closely. Casting Crowns recently covered Fee's "All Because of Jesus" (with far less gusto), but the original version on this album sounds patterned after that tired Tomlin/Sonicflood-gone-U2 driving rock sound. Overall, these songs are neither as memorable as Matt Redman or Tomlin, nor as creative as David Crowder Band or Delirious—yet it's not hard to imagine Fee capable of reaching those heights given time.
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Fee
We Shine (INO Records)
Released September 2007
reviewed by Russ Breimeier
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