MEZZAMORPHIS
By Delirious?
Furious? Records. £14.99
Delirious? are one of the few Christian bands in the UK who have achieved recognition in the secular marketplace.
Unlike many Christian bands who see their music solely as a ministry to Christians, Delirious? want to get the message 'out to the masses' and be an influence for change in the media. Mezzamorphis is their fifth album to date and the second to be released for the secular market. The critics like it (Q magazine described it as 'excellent . . . the album that will make them') and despite the obvious lack of media attention (Radio 1 once described the band as 'Pop's best kept secret'), the band have enjoyed good chart placings.
So what do they sound like? Some say early U2 and Runrig, others say Radiohead or the Manic Street Preachers. The fact is that they sound pretty unique. Inventors of the term 'power-pop', their chunky, guitar-rich melodies and anthemic choruses are just the thing for those hot summer afternoons. The production quality is also superb. If you want to hear quality Christian artistry, then this is it!
The band have often been misunderstood by the Christian community in Britain, some of whom see their mainstream activity as 'selling out'. This is a great shame as they are clearly still very much focused on God and are using their many media contacts for the gospel.
Their lyrics, while not as overt as those of some bands, clearly reflect their Christian worldview. Where Radiohead and the Manics' analysis of life is bleak, empty and meaningless, Delirious? see hope and purpose in struggle. There's nothing extolling the escapism of 'sex, drugs and rock'n'roll' here either. Indeed, many of the songs expose the futility of our society's values: 'Worldly lies, empty skies / But only you can satisfy.' Rather, a recurring theme is that of hope: 'Grace is my story / Hope is my song / You have been so good to me / I should have nothing, but I've got it all . . . I know one day I will be free / My cynical clothing will fall from me / Flying high in the blink of an eye / Metamorphis.' Above all, though, this album is about worship - in life and word: 'All I have in this life / Is all for a King, you know I live for / Take this life, take it all / I'm breathing the dirt, but I have clean hands / I was born to give you praise.'
Musically stunning and lyrically profound; for my money this is the album of the year, Christian or not!
Jon Mason
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