Believe me, I am not here to bury Christianity, my only feelings about a personal Jesus are pretty well documented but, hey, anything is possible and while all I do is doubt, some people I love and trust are Christian (some are Moslems as well) and I certainly don’t want to disrespect them.
But Hillsong Worship is another matter entirely. Hillsong is “a Pentecostal powerhouse with church campuses spanning the globe”and the worst music known to man.
I would claim them if you want to perform songs of praise to Jesus Christ you better have your shit together because if what you are doing is the sort of atrocious MOR saccharine stomach churning pop pap Hillsong worship perform, specifically on this interminable terrible live album, No Other Name, you should be cursed for all eternity only to awaken by love’s true kiss.
The only think worse than Hillson Worship is country music’s touchy feely Touch Down, have a beer with Jesus (only the good stuff) horrorshows. But this is song after solid rock song of over arranged pap, “Heaven On Earth”, “Broken Vessel”, “Thank You Jesus”. Good Gospel, Mahalia Jackson, can convert the non believer, this stuff can convert you as well, to Satanism. Dripping in sincerity, the singers smarm all over the tracks, Reuben Morgan, Ben Fielding, Annie Garratt, Jad Gillies, David Ware, Jay Cook, Joel Houston, Matt Crocker, Taya Smith, Hannah Hobbs and Marty Sampson, are the perpetrators of this 23rd album from the Australian team of hacks affiliated to Hillsong Church.
The person to watch out for is Matt Crocker, who wrote a number of these songs and by write I mean… well, I don’t know what I mean, this is unspeakable but it isn’t exactly songs. Songs have catchy melodies, and smart lyrics, and you can do something with them other than sneer.
There is something shameful about this product. It abuses Christianity for a bob or two, and sure, Hillsong didn’t invent it but this goes a long way to perfecting.
I could write these songs, you could. Here:
when I walk in doom and gloom
The sign of the Cross leads Me home
Oh, Jesus, savior of the world,
let me stay in your room
I don’t wanna be alone.
See? I just made that up and I can barely strum a guitar but I could write this music in my sleep. There is no melody, it is spacing of piano chords and heartfelt, somewhat lame vocals. “You make all things new…” Cmon, guys, how lazy can you be? Did I mention it is two hours long?
This is repulsive, cynical bullshit. It should be against the law.
Grade: F
