Album Review - Hillsong United The I Heart Revolution: With Hearts as One

Hillsong has done it again. A few years ago, this huge Australian church worshipped away in relative obscurity on the worldwide scene. Today, we have Hillsong, Hillsong London, Hillsong Kids, and their youth ministry, Hillsong United, among others, all well known around the globe.

The I Heart Revolution: With Hearts as One is not just another worship album. The record is the opening salvo in a larger social statement. There will also be released a DVD documentary with concert footage as part 2, entitled The I Heart Revolution: We're All in This Together.

The album was released three different ways: as a traditional double CD set, via online downloads available at several music stores, and via a innovative USB wristband.

As for the recording itself, it is worth the price of admission, whatever medium you choose. With Hearts as One is a compilation of United's best known worship songs, recorded over a two year period at venues all over the world. It includes music from both Hillsong's and Hillsong United's prior releases, and can really be looked at as a "greatest hits" type release(there is only one completely new song). What makes it so special in this case are the crowds. From Amsterdam to Kiev to Kuala Lumpur to Los Angeles, the recording benefits from the audience's familiarity with the music, turning staples such as Mighty to Save into stadium anthems worthy of 80's powerhouse bands.

Many of the songs benefit from new arrangements as well. One Way has a edgy sound to it, full of hard guitars and harder vocals, and Brooke Fraser seems even more haunting and lovely on Hosanna than before. One detraction: Came to My Rescue has been reduced to three minutes plus of repeating the bridge of the song, which is a shame, because it's a really powerful song in its entirety.

If you are a fan of Hillsongs, or if you never heard of them, I'd recommend buying, downloading or wearing this record. Somtimes seeing or hearing something familiar in a new way brings it new life; these are already-great worship songs made better.

God Bless