Man of Depravity - Tyler Braun's posts on Church Ministry, Worship, Seminary, and Theology.

Hillsong United // Across the Earth

2009 June 03

by Tyler

Last week Hillsong United their released their 9th album. I would say only about 6 of them have gained serious traction in the USA. I would also say only Chris Tomlin rivals them in number of hit worship songs over the past 5 to 7 years.

Any given weekend at my church we are likely doing a Hillsong United song. And I doubt my church is different from a lot of other churches in the world. Clearly God has anointed this group in a special way.

I think I’ve listened through their new album about 10 times now, and at least 5 or 6 of those I was really focused on listening to the lyrics and song progression. When I say favorite, I always look through the lens of whether the song could be highly effective for a weekend church gathering. Here are my top 4 songs on the new album:

Oh You Bring- You can listen to the track here. It isn’t the must upbeat song the album and it certainly doesn’t build as big as some others but there is something about this song that just grabs me. I think it is the most singable song on the album and I love the bridge.
Soon- You can listen to the track here. Kind of in the same vein as “None but Jesus” but piano driven instead of guitar driven. It would fit well with “You Hold Me Now” because of the focus on heaven. Love the simplicity and the lyrics.
You Hold Me Now- Listen here. The other song with a focus on heaven. I dig that they wrote a worship song that is focused on heaven because there aren’t many. The chorus is very singable. Might be a tad too long but the bridge is sweet after it gets big.
Tear Down the Walls- Listen here. Definitely the song that builds the most on the album. Definitely too long at 10 minutes though, at least for my taste. Not quite as singable as the others and not as strong of a message. But the song has the United stamp all over it. They have made it big time with the ability to write songs that build perfectly. They grab you and don’t let go. This song is a perfect example of that.

For those of you who have listened to the album, what are your initial thoughts?

Filed under: the rest...

http://klampert.com klampert

well u prob read my thoughts in my review of it.

Initially i hated it..then after a bunch of listens I started to like some of the songs. There are some great gems on it however as a whole it is not their best.
Austin

I thought you didnt like “You Hold Me Now”…. Guess me and kurt were right
http://manofdepravity.com Tyler

The bigger point is that you both think it is the best song and I think it is only the 3rd best. That is a big difference.
http://manofdepravity.com Tyler

Definitely not as good as their last, but I would say that one is about impossible to beat.
http://brentinworship.com/blog brent(inWorship)

This album definitely did not live up to the hype for me. I have listened twice through now and it gets lost on the background. Still trying to find what’s useful for me.

My lens for using music has been twofold. #1 Personality. Does it fit our team and congregation. And #2 personal worship. If I don’t find myself worshiping with the song, I don’t bring it to the church. I need to lead them by worshiping first.

So far the two that stand out to me are “King Of All Days” even with the Coldplay overtones. And, “Oh You bring”
brianspessard

I’ve been avidly listening to Hillsong United since way back in the “King of Majesty” days, not that that qualifies me for anything, but just throwing it out there. I’ve always been a big fan of their music.

From the very first listen of the new album, it caught my attention. It was just…different. It’s got a totally different feel than anything they’ve put out there, and I think it has to do with a lot of the new talent they’ve been raising up. I love the fact that they’re getting some other guys and gals involved. Marty’s been kinda out of the picture for a little while now, Joel is doing more and more with the “main” church albums, and JD is…well JD. So it’s refreshing to hear some new voices.

Having said that, I love the album. It grows on me more and more as I listen to it. I can see how songs like “You Hold Me Now,” “Arms Open Wide,” and “Soon” could become great songs in our worship times, both corporately and personally.

Just a few observations of mine
Marshall Frimoth

Yours Forever = Gene Simmons.
http://www.shapingthespace.net David

In general, we find that the United albums have far less music that we would translate into a congregational setting than the Hillsong Live albums. The next one of those is out here in 4 weeks at conference…and I think releases in the US around September-ish.

I’m a bit like Brent – it’s been out here for a month, and I enjoy it far more as radio-style music than I would as a source for congregational songs. I don’t really have a top 3 songs, or even a top song, but it’s always hard for me to go past Brooke Fraser (or Brooke Ligertwood as she’ll be known moving forward with her Hillsong work), so “Soon” has it for me…at the moment…
http://ash-nits.blogspot.com ash

yeah, def. going to have to go w/ Tear down the Walls as my favorite….
http://ryanguard.net ryanguard

I’m listening to it right now… I’ve had “You Hold Me Now” on repeat a few times. Your faves are mine too. I don’t mind the 10-minutes on “Tear Down the Walls” at all. They’ll just shorten in when they’re playing shows like they do with “Saviour King”.

Some of these songs are CHEESY though! Even worse than “take-take-take it all”
http://alex.cvitanovic.com Alex

Conveniently enough, she will still be “Brooke Frasier” for all her sony albums. and Ligertwood as hillsong releases. could make for some interesting conversations in the music store…
grace choong

hey i like “take, take, take it all!!!” hehe..
ok it is a tad cheesy..
my favourite is “arms open wide”..we’ve been singing it loads at our church (hillsong london..no surprise there:P) and its brillliannt!!
linner34

Arms Open Wide is absolutely epic in a worship setting.
http://www.shapingthespace.net David

This makes for interesting Twitter conversations with herself. It’s hilarious
http://www.theiheartfilm.com Jordan Mills

Have you heard?? Only a few days till the I-HEART documentary hits cinemas Nov4! This is a one-off event you’ve got to see… theiheartfilm.com

The I-HEART documentary – Following worship band UNITED on their journey of discovery that WORSHIP and JUSTICE are inexplicably linked… “If what we (UNITED) are doing inside the church walls is having no effect on the streets we travelled to get there, then maybe we’re missing the point?”

We’re All In This Together is a documentary featuring the Hillsong UNITED Crew. It’s about many stories encountered along the way that all lead to the ONE story. It’s about justice, love and a hope found in God through His people.

With interviews and animation, it’s not the same as part1 – With Hearts As One… that was the music… The united voice.

This is the story – the united action – the heart behind The I Heart Revolution… Of which we’re all a part.

Watch the trailer: theiheartfilm.com