Gateway Worship

The purpose of a live worship album is twofold: to be of instructional use to worship leaders of churches which may lack similar talents and resources; and to provide individual listeners with a glimpse, albeit a faint echo, of the extraordinary experience of the intimate, shared moment between a congregation and God. To this end, Wake Up the World, from the musicians at Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, is a resounding success.

Studio albums are concerned with releasing singles which, ideally, are short enough in length to suit radio station formats. (Exceptions include Don McLean’s longwinded 1971 hit, “American Pie.”) Gateway’s worship leaders, however, know how to linger in praise, how to relax and bathe in a song without rushing to the next item on the agenda. Consequently, the songs are long - “Alabaster Jar” weighs nearly eight minutes, including an extended but pleasing refrain of “Worthy, worthy, You are worthy, Worthy is the Lord.” Only two of the 14 tracks are under four minutes, not including “New Doxology Anthem,” which is really an instrumental coda fused to the tail of “New Doxology.”

Vocal ad-libs are another distinguishing characteristic of the worship genre. Kari Jobe is particularly adept at spontaneous praise; when she addresses God by various titles during “We Cry Out,” her heartfelt pleas just float out over the congregation and continue up into the rafters of heaven.

A project involving this many artists runs the risk of sounding choppy and eclectic, but Wake Up the World holds together nicely. The glue on the album’s lyrical spine comes from Ephesians 5:14: “Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” “Every day I’ll awaken my praise, And pour out a song from my heart.” (”You Are Good.”) “Real love has changed us/Real hope invade us/You illuminate us/Got a world to change/They gotta hear His name.” (”Real.”) “We’re only here to tell the world about Your grace/Until the day You take us all away.” (”We Cry Out.”) “You awaken my heart from slumbering/Meet me in mourning and You speak to my grief.” (”God of My Days.”)

It’s remarkable that a live album can be this polished. The liner notes list about 80 credits, including hairdressers, stylists, makeup artists, guitar techs, lighting design, photographers, and just about everybody involved except for the guy who brought the donuts to rehearsal.

Similarly, the songs are propped up by all kinds of wizardry, including superb singers, excellent instrumentation and moderate pop arrangements that blend each song into the next without so much as a burp. However, if you strip away the hairdressing, the songs are good but not great. None are on a par with “Breathe” or “Open the Eyes of My Heart,” except for “New Doxology,” a masterful remake of the 1551 Psalter.

The best lyrics on the album belong to the seventh track, which borrows a metaphor from Luke Chapter 7. “This alabaster jar is all I have of worth/I break it at Your feet Lord, it’s less than You deserve … Here I am, take me as an offering/Here I am giving every heartbeat for Your glory/Take me.” (”Alabaster Jar.”)

The least inspired lyrics award goes to “Beautiful.” With three composers, including songwriting legend Paul Baloche, you’d think someone could come up with a fresher adjective than “beautiful.” Let’s face it: James Blunt stomped on this adjective with the secular “You’re Beautiful,” and killed it dead. Dead. Dead. Dead.

Still, this album is tweener worship at its finest: it’s tuneful enough for old-timers who still remember hymns, yet angsty and drummy enough for rebellious young people. Wake Up the World is a superb blueprint for contemporary worship. And if your church’s praise band could use some inspiration, the CD trax, songbook, CD-Rom songbook, or DVD are worthy investments.

↓ One comment

#1 Jan on May 31st, 2008 at 8:41 pm

was working at my computer listening to some downloaded itunes. I had to stop after listening to “Beautiful” because this anointed song ministered to me so much, expressing a deep and passionate love for Jesus. After googling for the lyrics, I happened upon this site, describing the lyrics as the least inspired on this album! Wow! Listen with your heart and I promise the word “beautiful” will take on a whole new meaning that could never be compared with any earthly beauty!

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