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Glory Revealed II, the sequel to 2007’s Glory Revealed, is so perfectly crafted, so beautifully conceptualized and conceived, that even the makeshift not-recorded-in-a-studio building pictured on the cover art appears to be part of a wondrous plan. The converted structure, which housed some of contemporary Christian music’s most acclaimed artists during a weeklong, creative retreat in Mountain Hill, Georgia, used to be a grain silo. Grain. As in bread. As in the bread of life. As in the ideal incubator for a scripture-focused album seeking to ignite the listener’s passion for the word of God.

This praise jewel is even better than the first GR, and that one is no slouch, garnering two Dove awards and launching the hit single “By His Wounds.” Like its predecessor, GRII is firmly rooted in the simple, fine as frog’s hair arrangements of the folk/bluegrass genre, with enough rock influences to keep the trains running on time. The stellar cast is slightly different than the first, but these tuneful songs are new and improved – there isn’t a clunker in the barrel.

There’s a lot of star power at work in this grain silo, including Natalie Grant, Laura Story, Ed Cash and Brian Littrell. The delicate vocals of Shane and Shane lift up “Cup of Salvation,“ based on Psalm 116, while “Rejoice in the Lord,” with Mark Hall and Trevor Morgan thumps steadily along on classic rock power chords. Aaron Shust, Mike Donehey (Tenth Avenue North), and Brandon Heath, all three one-time Dove GMA New Artist of the Year, team up as the three musketeers of mellow on the pleasantly acoustic “What We Proclaim.” Amy Grant’s angelic harmonies perfectly complement the gentle “Since The World Began,” featuring Mac Powell, Ed Cash, and Matt Maher.

Maher and Kari Jobe deliver the sweet ballad “To You Be the Glory,“ stripped down to acoustic guitar and violin and Maher’s trademark sprinkling of unexpected chords. “Who could hold the wealth of God/ Such treasure found in Him/Who could comprehend His heart and mind/His wisdom has no end” (“To You Be the Glory.”) Another slow-paced highlight is “Psalm 23,” by Trevor Morgan and Geoff Moore. Slightly effervescent, with a tidal-like cadence of phrase and pause that somehow smoothes out the lyrics, this is probably the best arrangement of this beloved psalm ever recorded.

Once again, producer/singer Mac Powell, whose distinctive voice seems irretrievably type-cast as rock ‘n roll, proves he can cross over to bluegrass without breaking stride. Although “Blessed Hope” is classic Powell rock tickled with a fiddle feather, he manages to blend with other singers on “Since the World Began,” “How Great,” and oh – his voice isn’t listed on the advance liner notes, but isn’t that the Powell growl sneaking onto the bridge of “Wake Up Oh Sleeper,” alongside Jason Crabb, Jonathan Shelton, and Bear Rinehart?

If so, no one could blame him for jumping into the most infectiously delicious, toe-tapping spiritual since “When the Saints Go Marching In.” “I know you been sleepin’ in your bed of sin/Life’s passin’ by while you been sleepin’ here/I know you been runnin’, runnin’ from His grace/Well don’t you know that you can’t get away” (“Wake Up Oh Sleeper.”) This one is worth the price of admission – I can’t remember when I’ve been so foolishly happy about the wretched state of my own condemnation.

Mark Hall (Casting Crowns) says, “There’s something amazing about singing God’s word back to Him in worship.” There’s something equally amazing about gathering together a diverse group of musicians for fellowship and devotions in a converted farm building, and having the collaboration result in a cohesive worship album of the highest caliber. If you have the slightest fondness for mandolin or violin or most any other stringed instrument at home on a front porch, there’s nothing not to like about Glory Revealed II. This album is inspired.

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Related stories:

  1. Glory Revealed Sequel Debuts July 14
  2. ‘Glory Revealed’ Goes On Tour
  3. Glory Revealed Tour Scores Sellout Crowds
  4. Third Day Announces Fall Tour Dates
  5. Various Artists

Cindy Poch

Cindy Lane Poch is a former opinion columnist for the St. Paul Pioneer Press. She shares a home in Minnesota with four guitars, three drum sets, two sons, and one husband.

Thursday Jul 2nd, 2009 • View all posts by Cindy Poch • View all posts in Album Reviews

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↓ 17 comments

#1 GRACE S CARTWRIGHT on July 14th, 2009 at 3:23 am

ONE OF, IF NOT THE, BEST ALBUM OF 2009.

#2 Cindy on July 14th, 2009 at 1:31 pm

Could be, Grace! Could be!

#3 John Wofford on July 15th, 2009 at 10:34 pm

Are you guys serious? I never really bought into the first project. I’ll give it a listen.

Having said that, this year’s best album is most definitely Derek Webb’s STOCKHOLM SYNDROME, and I don’t doubt it will remain the “Sgt Pepper” of the Christian industry for years to come.

#4 Cindy on July 15th, 2009 at 11:04 pm

Well, John, it helps if you like a bluegrass/folk acoustic sound, and there’s nothing edgy or experimental here. But definitely listen to “Wake Up Oh Sleeper.” I’d like to hear that one at a funeral. That and DC Talk’s version of “Spirit in the Sky.”

#5 Andrew Greenhalgh on July 15th, 2009 at 11:55 pm

I agree that this is a pretty good project but I’m not sure if I can ascribe it album of the year honors just yet. I finally just got my D. Webb download to work so I’ll have to check that out plus there’s still new Crowder and more to come this year so…

I will agree, though, Cindy, that “Wake Up Oh Sleeper” is one killer track…:)

#6 John Wofford on July 16th, 2009 at 3:44 am

I’m a fair Crowder fan, but I really don’t think anyone can top SSyndrome. It’s definitely made an impact on me.

#7 Matt C on July 16th, 2009 at 12:15 pm

Don’t forget Paper Route and that Mute Math has a new one this year. Both of those deserve nods over this one. And personally, for something released exclusive to the Christian market, I think I dig Falling Up as much as anything else.

#8 Andrew Greenhalgh on July 16th, 2009 at 2:44 pm

Good call, Matt. Forgot about the new Mute Math being on the way. But are you actually putting up Falling Up against Derek Webb? I might have to revisit that disc if it’s that good!

And John, I finally got my download to work of Stockholm and you may be right. That’s one stinkin’ good album…

#9 David Woodward on July 16th, 2009 at 8:26 pm

I’ve just bought “Wake Up, Oh Sleeper” and it is moving me. It is infectious. But I think crabb, rinehart, powell, et al, miss the point of Ephesians 5:14. My recently deceased seminary prof, Dr. Harold Hoehner, wrote in his magnum opus, Ephesians: An Exegetical Commentary, that “sleeper” can be used metaphorically of spiritual lethargy. Paul was writing to listless believers who were walking on a path that leads to spiritual deadening. They were participating in the unfruitful deeds of darkness. If they would awaken, Christ would shine “on” them in terms of approval, or better “by means of” their reawakened lives. (The prepositional force of “on” or “by” is implied in the dative pronoun, soi. I take it as a dative of means–by means of their spiritual vitality.

#10 Brian on July 16th, 2009 at 8:53 pm

I agree on the Falling Up disc. It rivals Danyew’s EP as possibly the best Christian-only release I’ve heard this year.

#11 Cindy on July 17th, 2009 at 3:03 am

Interesting insights, David. I cannot help myself – this song just makes me feel happy. Here are more lyrics for anyone who’d like to add to the discussion:

“Wake up oh sleeper, Rise from the dead
Christ will shine on you …

I know you been sleepin’ in your bed of sin
Life’s passin’ by while you been sleepin’ here
I know you been runnin’, runnin’ from His grace
Why don’t you know that you can’t get away

You been busy sleepin’ in the shadows of your own
Wastin’ the gift of your life
Now the son(?) is rising, shadows are gone
Get up wake up for you’ve been justified”

“Wake Up Oh Sleeper” – Jason Crabb, Jonathan Shelton, Bear Rinehart

#12 Robert MacFarland on July 28th, 2009 at 6:20 pm

I am going to have to respectfully agree with this revue. What a great CD! And I will have to give a double-ditto to praising ‘Wake up, Oh Sleeper’…..what an absolutely fun song. I wish they would do this song in my church…it could definately ‘wake the dead’ and leave them with a smile. What would you call that sound??? Gospel/Lyle Lovett/Bluegrass/Rock???? Just plain fun.

#13 Cindy on July 28th, 2009 at 7:35 pm

Robert, “Gospel/Lyle Lovett/Bluegrass/Rock” is a great description – that pretty much says it all!

#14 CJ on August 2nd, 2009 at 10:01 pm

Thanks Cindy for some of the lyrics. Can you make out and post the rest. I can’t understand the names of everyone that’s “wakin up”. That would be great if you could.

#15 Cindy on August 3rd, 2009 at 2:09 am

CJ, I can’t make out those words. I hear “prodigal is waking up,”
“Pharisee is waking up,” “I hope the church is waking up,” maybe “Lonely soul is waking up.” My review copy doesn’t have the official liner, so perhaps they’ll print lyrics on the final CD’s liner notes. Especially since the lyrics of this album are the point of it all.

#16 Cindy on August 3rd, 2009 at 4:41 pm

Got it got it! Listened to this song on Bose speakers, and here’s everybody who’s waking up: “Prodigal” (”is waking up”), “Every child is,” “The down and out is,” “The prisoner is,” “Lonely soul is,” “I hope the church is,” “Everybody’s waking up!”

#17 CJ on August 3rd, 2009 at 10:47 pm

YOUR GREAT! Thanks so much. I came across this song and want to play it at a retreat to go with a talk I’m doing. It is perfect for it! Thanks again and have a Great Day!

CJ(I’m going by CJ, but my name is Cindy as well!)

Does it Resonate with you?