Glenn Packiam

Glenn Packiam might already be a familiar name to some of you, as a member of the Desperation Band at New Life Church and director of its School of Worship. But it’s here that he makes his solo debut to accompany his new book Secondhand Jesus and the results are fantastic. If anything, it doesn’t matter if you knew him before or not because, after this, the masses will become attuned.

It’s not that Packiam demonstrates an extreme variation on what’s already on your iPod from the worship genre. It’s just that the execution and packaging moves it through the cliché in every way possible. The song structures themselves are copy-and-paste from the modern worship structures in every church. The sentiments are largely identical and the phrasing is rinse-repeat (i.e. “I know my redeemer lives”, “Your name is a strong and mighty tower”). But in this case, it’s not a detriment at all.

I submit Exhibit A. The lead track, “This Is Our God,” moves much in the same way as most other worship songs out there. I knew instantly when the chorus would kick in, when the instrumental would start, how things would build, and so on. And even lyrically, a chorus like, “This is our God/This is our King/This is the anthem of the redeemed/Tell the whole world/Everyone sing/This is our God/This is our King” brings a pretty familiar approach. But one listen to this song makes you wish your music leader at your local congregation already knew this so you’d be ready for Sunday.

Two songs are former Packiam submissions found on other Desperation Band offerings: “Your Name” and “My Savior Lives.” Those songs are instantly memorable and perfectly slide into the set list here.

Equally at home in high-energy numbers and slow-tempo ballads, Packiam moves the listener either way. “I Will Stand” is a solid, softer tune that didn’t build like I thought it would, but remains pretty nonetheless. “Hold On” is a fantastic piano piece that could work on AC radio. “Without You” is another standout track where the build appears and Packiam’s cry of “Come fill my heart/Lift up my head/Call out my name/I will come” sways the emotions.

All things considered, Packiam’s solo debut might end up as one of the strongest worship releases of ’09. While lacking a bit in originality, it more than makes up for it with strong musicianship and sentiment with lyrics sure to find a home in churches nationwide.

Tagged as: Glenn Packiam, Rumors and Revelations

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