The Garden Deluxe Edition starts off quite nicely, albeit a bit too much electronic music for me. I understand that is a stylistic issue which one either likes or doesn't but there is a definite worship style within the style that has been built on her experience as a worship leader. It was her work within the Christian market that ultimately had her being nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Christian Album and 4 nominations for the Christian version, The Dove Awards of which she won 3 Doves.
In my experience with Christian music from both a reviewer
since the early 1980's and with working in the music industry since that time
there is definitely a place for the Christian audience and The Garden will
appeal to that audience. It has some great worship tunes that are easy to
listen to and can easily lead one into an attitude of worship. As to a non
Christian or non follower of Jesus, the project will be something they don't
quite get as it is most definitely a project specifically directed towards the
Christian audience, it is if you will a Christineeze (speaking in the language
primarily only Christians understand) project. I don't blame Jobi for that, she
and her handlers most likely understand this is her market. There are other
artist however, like Mary Kathryn who have taken on this role but the music
keeps the attention and the vocal variations for the non Christian audience can
be entertaining. In that regard Jobi's project is a bit lacking.
I found myself experiencing a bit of monotony as I listened
to this CD a number of times. That feeling was supported by others who listened
with me with comments like "I like the songs, but after awhile it all
sound the same." That has me at a
strange place as I review this project, while I am a fan, one that loves her
previous work, I find myself loving two or three songs at a time but after
that, so it sounds so much alike. I think this is for a variety of reasons. The
project seems to be heavily driven by electronics and studio effects along with
the same vocal and musical styles. I personally prefer that live sound, feeling
and variety included in the production and mixing process. I just don't feel
that, in some ways it falls as short for me as another artist I love, Amy
Grant, whose electronic remix of her hits was somewhat of a travesty. While The Garden is a ways from being a
travesty, it is quite good with highlights in individual songs, it is just repetitive
and in my opinion not her best work. I think the CD will do quite well because each song on its own is quite nice and acceptable for radio air play but accumulatively, as a whole, it falls short for me and those who listened to it as a collective with me agreed. Again, please understand, not because it is bad, it is just so repetitive.
I know there are Christians as mentioned earlier who have excelled in the
worship style who have found a way to draw in the non-Christian listener. This
is a great thing to work towards as I believe this also allows the
non-Christian to get a taste of what following Jesus is all about. One can see
and hear a sincerity in the music, lyrics, and yes, delivery of the song. Jobe
does a great job, but the non-Christian listener is one I believe who also needs
more instead of less in some regards. King David is a perfect example in his
writings of the Psalm's. Many around the world, even those from varying faith
groups read and memorize those passages because they hold so true to the things
in life they are going through. For many, the agony, difficulty and hard times
is as much a part of the worship experience as the "Praise God"
concepts are for others. Unfortunately, we focus within Christendom sometimes
more on the "Praise God" parts and entertainment aspect for each
other than we do with an understanding of those hurting, even Christians, often
surrounding us. It is for this reason, among others, that I would have
preferred more than I got. On a scale of 1 - 10, I just found this CD to unfortunately be somewhat mediocre, so for that reason, I given a mediocre 5.
To hear a sample of the album, click on the video below, if the video doesn't appear, click on the link.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3Dtnaie4KY&index=1&list=PLbkVEAucwstu7tQHLNHMQCOVLrAoMd-qm
The Virtual Pew and our other work is supported solely by the kind contributions of others. You can click on the donate button below to give any amount to this work that does so much more than just post articles on the net; I draw no ongoing salary from the church I pastor, Mosaic Wichita which is predominantly a homeless church; I am grateful for any small amount you can contribute to help with this ministry. Believe me there is much more going on than most realize. I will also provide information to verify the ministry and income that comes into this ministry and work. Thanks and feel free to share any material from The Virtual Pew, I only ask that appropriate credit is given and a link to the original site with the materials provided.
Click here to read about, and order the book, The Keystone Kid
Click here to visit the web page The Virtual Pew
Click here to follow The Virtual Pew on Twitter
Mike Furches on Faceboook.
Click here to visit Mosaic Church where Mike is Pastor
The Keystone Kid/Virtual Pew Message Boards
Click to subscribe to my blog
There are hundreds of postings so make sure to check out the archives. You can also contact me for a free audio book link of The Keystone Kid at mike@furches.org You can visit http://www.thevirtualpew.com/.
Hopefully you will consider a gift to The Virtual Pew.
Now I get asked this quite often, Can we repost your blogs or articles? The short answer to that is, what an honor that you would ask, and by all means, spread the word. Here is our contact information
The Virtual Pew
1249 N. St. Francis
Wichita Kansas, 67214
Email: mike@furches.org
Click on the following links to learn more about The Virtual Pew
Donations to The Virtual Pew
The Virtual Pew Blog
Personal Furches Web Site
Reviews With Mike
The Virtual Pew Sermons
The Virtual Pew News
No comments:
Post a Comment