A depth of passion and love for God... a new song!
by
Rock529
I believe Phil Wickham has the hand of God on him.
Even though there is so much that I feel is wrong about the Christian music industry, I still have their local stations programmed on my radio pre-sets. I flip through them just about every time I'm driving in my truck, hoping, believing, that I will hear something genuine from the heart of God calling for radical lives lived for Him in faith and grace and love. Most of the time I turn the dial after 30 seconds, disappointed that many in the Christian world are not stepping out to lead with God's creative voice, instead following the world six months behind for whatever happens to be selling the most that month. It's aggravating, and disappointing. But still, I flip through and listen.
The other day I heard a song I'd never heard before on one of the stations and it made me literally stop what I was doing and listen. It was Phil Wickham's song "Divine Romance" and I immediately felt the Holy Spirit coming through the radio waves; a depth of worship that pierced through the noise and commercialism of the greatest news there has ever been (in the outrageous Love of God in Jesus). I felt a genuiness of spirit that seems so rare nowdays. I listened to the entire song and when I got home I searched out I-tunes for the song and artist. I found Phil's record, listened and downloaded a few more of Phil's songs and found that they each had the same depth of passion and worship, love and clarity to see God and want God and to love God above all else.
The music really does express a Divine Romance, an expression of worship calling out that the Lord is all we want, all we need, and all we breath! Finally, a new song is being sung! It is new becasue it is the artists own song. It's his relationship with God that comes through; a song from his lungs, from his heart, from his hurts, from his decisions in faith to follow hard after God. The Holy Spirit fills the music because I believe Phil is filled with the Holy Spirit. There isn't a produced manipulation of a "worship experience" which I believe too much of the Christian music uses now -- it is actaully a young man singing his songs to God, expressing a personal committment of faith that calls us to join in with our songs, too.
Phil's voice matches the beautiful anthems to God perfectly, with a rich, textured, but not overdone production quality. I commend the producers for allowing the Spirit to come through and doing their part to support and not overwhelm the beauty in the songs and in Phil's voice. Aesthetically, Phil's voice falls into a style and range very much like Jeff Buckley, Remo Zero, and Keane; and this is not a bad thing because although there are similarities, the individuality remains.
My own heart was awakened in the amazing Love of God, and the songs continue to usher me into His Presence, feeling His heartbeat and reaching out my hands to a God Who was always reaching for me first. Thank you Phil, and God bless you!
Highlight songs for me are: "Divine Romance" "Always Forever" "Yours Alone" and "Grace"
R. Jackson
FINALLY!
by
stokes5429
Finally! Someone who is talented in Christian music who doesn't sound like every one else and writes real lyrics... hopefully other artist will catch on and Christian music will gain some credibility. I like this kid. If you like Damien Rice, Amos Lee, Iron & Wine, or any easy listening with major depth you will like this guy.
Fantastic
by
Michael Fields
I got this cd as a part of a box deal for our youth group - and I have to admit that I didn't really care about listening to this guy. However: I was blown away by the cd. The lyrics are simple while maintaining a poetic beauty and depth (he is a new psalmist) - constant reminders of our fallibility and God's love and grace. His voice is rich and more unique than most out there (reminds me of Rufus Wainright). Also, the music fits perfectly with the lyrics = good guitars and even a banjo and a wonderful piano on the last song. Do yourself a favor and get this cd.
