Ben Crist (Lead Vocals and Guitar) "I’m not trying to write corporate worship songs—just my honest thoughts to God, and somehow when that comes out, it’s worshipful.” (BEC Recordings: The Glorious Unseen Biography Page)

This is not the first time I have heard this attitude applied to the art of writing good worship songs. Paul Baloche is a strong advocate of honesty in worship songs, and the also of the consensus that the best worship songs are from the heart, describing real events. The overall sound produced by The Glorious Unseen on this album is certainly heartfelt, and is more of a pensive reflection upon the Lord's impact upon our lives than an album of out-and-out praise to Him. I've heard several people recently who have questioned the validity of every worshipful song being of a happy nature. Christians are sometimes reluctant to portray a worshipful relationship with the Lord as being anything other than that, and it is true that songs of lament are not used as freely as songs of praise in many churches.

This album, to me, represents a middle ground - and to illustrate this I'll start with "How He Loves" - the only cover on the album. This may seem an interesting choice of track to hone in on, there have been countless versions of this, so surely they're just jumping on a bandwagon and trying to sell a few more albums with a well-known song, surely? In my opinion, having listened to it, no. In a previous article on this blog I described this song as something of a mission of faith to sing - it's rousing, extrovert nature when sung by the likes of Jeremy Riddle and Kim Walker-Smith can be difficult for some to attempt. However, what TGU have achieved with this version is to apply their pensive, reflective style to this song, keep it simple yet powerful, and crucially, for the first time, to make it a song I feel is accessible to less extroverted worshippers such as myself.

Matthew 11:28 (NLT): "Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest."

This verse is sometimes difficult to accept in the midst of our day-to-day lives. When we're going through trials and tribulations, hopelessness is just that, and that the situation is never going to get better. "Heavy Hearted" is a song that cuts through these feelings like a knife, and to me it says that someone else has been through just what I've been through - and that there is hope. We're not meant to be burdened, Jesus tells us this. The line at the end of the second verse of this song says it all to me: "Why do I listen to doubt, why do I shut out, You're what I need the most". Following this track on the CD comes "Falling into You", with a beautiful ethereal beginning - simple piano, sustained clean guitar, and lo-fi drums, and another poignant vocal line. The uplift into the chorus gives this song a message of hope, that cuts through the negative aspects of life in the verses, and reminds each one of us of our call to Him.

I believe this entire album is heartfelt and honest, and these feelings are brought to the fore in "Awakening" - a song asking questions that are pertinent to many Christians about grace and mercy. This song is answered by the Lord in 2 Chronicles 7:14 - where he promises that if His people, called by His name, will turn from their wickedness, humble themselves (worship) and pray, he will hear our cries, forgive sins and heal their land. This song, in my opinion, represents a call for affirmation of this promise, and the praise that's brought forth towards the end of the track shows the faith, belief and acknowledgement of the Lord's unchanging promise for our own lives.

I bought this album having only heard a couple of tracks by the band, but have found a message through this band that honesty, heart, faith, and hope should lie at the centre of our worship to the Lord, attributes I will seek to apply to my own times of worship.