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 PrintableVersion Monument to mercy (CD)Beating timeMONUMENT TO MERCY (CD) What a brilliant title! Has it really been nearly four years since Townend’s last studio album? Yes, searching the EN website I see that JEB gave Lord of Every Heart an enthusiastic review way back in November 2002! At the turn of the century few of us had even heard of Stuart Townend. These days, our church seems to sing at least one of his hymns every week. Last year ‘In Christ Alone’ (2001) was voted the nation’s ninth favourite hymn in the BBC’s Songs of Praise ‘top 20’ poll. Jamie Oliver of worshipStuart Townend is the church’s Jamie Oliver, skilfully working hard to wean us off sugary fatty junk-food, onto a balanced diet of tasty wholesome nourishing and more satisfying fare. Townend’s powerful doctrinal lyrics, full of Scripture, praise and challenge, are matched with dynamic, singable, memorable tunes. His collaboration with composer Keith Getty has been particularly fruitful. This album is quite a feast! Four of the 11 songs are entirely new, but even the ones we know have completely new arrangements. And what arrangements! The words are always crystal clear, and the backing vocals are rich and varied. I guess once you’ve hired an entire Czech string orchestra you have to use it, but with the Getty touch it sounds fantastic. My initial impression was of ELO. There’s definitely more piano and less guitar than before. At times it’s very Philip Glass. Elsewhere there are strong hints of Keane, Cold Play and Stevie Wonder. Sometimes the music is quite experimental. The brass band definitely works, but I’m still trying to get my head around the air raid siren! Not all the music may suit your palate, but the words will do you the world of good. You simply must check out songs like ‘From The Breaking Of The Dawn’, ‘Beloved And Blessed’, ‘My God’, and ‘For Every Child’. I wish there was space to quote more lines, but here are just a couple of verses from ‘Puritan Prayer’: Blessed Spirit of the King Here I place without reserve In a word: landmark.PGDH
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