| > cMusicWeb.com > Pop > WOW > WOW 1999 |
  |
[ wow 1999 ]
 |  |
 |
|||
|
|
 |
|
|
THEMUSIC
 |
|||
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
CURRENTS
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
SEARCH
|
|||
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
cMUSICMAIL
|
|||
|
|||
|
|
|||
WOW 1999 (1998)
One listen to the 33 tracks of WoW 1999 serves as a near excellent review of the past year in Christian music. From its inception, WoW has always been a landmark idea - the concept has taken on a life all its own, often becoming the only Christian album that mainstream listeners (and even some believers) buy. The first disc opens with "Into Jesus," a track that's only a sample of the breakthrough alternative on dc Talk's current disc Supernatural. Grand symphony orchestration melds into the Newsboys' chorus "Entertaining Angels." One of CCM's biggest developments of 98 was the Newsboys restructuring in February that left them without frontman John James and the songwriting genius of Steve Taylor. Next, we are whisked away to the Land of Synth where Michael W. Smith's transformation comes across as a bit more encouraging, with the rock choir's loud, pulsating rhythm of "Love Me Good" sitting nicely atop the pounding electronic backbeat. Newcomer Jennifer Knapp makes a notable appearance with her "Undo Me," which showcases the Kansas native's rough voice and raw sound. After 1998, worship will never be the same. Rock will never be the same. deliriou5? has come. For anyone who's felt the winds of change blowing through today's church, "Deeper" is truly the soundtrack to 98. Rebecca St. James' single "Pray" emphasizes repentance and redemption, while Third Day's remake of the worshipful "Agnus Dei" also made the cut. I still enjoy Big Tent Revival's "What Would Jesus Do?," which brings a little personality and conviction to the worldwide movement. It's really encouraging to see rising stars like Smalltown Poets, The W's and a long overdue WoW appearance by VeggieTales, closing Disc One with my favorite Veggie song of all time, "His Cheeseburger." Disc Two also holds (a few) highlights. Steven Curtis Chapman's inspiring melody "I Will Not Go Quietly," a surprisingly excellent track by 4Him titled "Can't Get Past the Evidence" and "Testify to Love," from the two-hit-wonder pop group I love to hate, Avalon. Rich Mullins poetic "That Where I Am, There You..." and decent cuts from Chris Rice, Amy Grant and Bryan Duncan round off the Disc Two highlights. As far the rest, suffice to say that Bob Carlisle is still a butterfly-kissing truck driver, Carman is still recording his cheap brand of 80's cheerleading pop, as do his equally unimpressive female counterparts Point of Grace, Jaci Velasquez and Kathy Trocolli (known as the Truc). Despite these always-present artists, my biggest problem here is the "new" artists--Nichole Nordeman, Natalie Grant, Michelle Tumes and (to prove it's not just a female thing), Fernando Ortega. All of them are playing this watered-down, cliche-laden contemporary that doesn't compare to the powerful sound of Burlap to Cashmere, The Waiting, Skillet, Seven Day Jesus, Eli, Darrell Evans, Sixpence None the Richer, Matt Redman...need i go on? Since WoW has become the Christian-album-of-choice for so many listeners, do we want them believing that repulsive, recycled pop is the "newest" and hottest thing in Christian music??? Still, with so many Christian artists represented, WoW 1999 is a must buy. Disc One alone is worth the price.
- Josh M. Shepherd
Articles written by the staff.
Maintained by WebMaster Dan Ficker.
Site Design by da Man
All Material © 1999-2005 Different Media LLC
Support cMusicWeb.com