David Crowder Band was known as a rock band that also led worship at their University's church, recorded albums and toured the world. They were mostly known for their rock/electronic sound, at least until this album. Released 20 years ago yesterday, David Crowder and the band brought their love of classic country and even a bit of bluegrass music to their sound. Starting with a Loretta Lynn cover as an intro, the album sounds mostly like the Crowder Band albums released previously, mostly modern rock with some electronic elements. But then, halfway through the song "Be Lifted Or Hope Rising", a country song breaks out including mandolins. And this style continues with "I Saw The Light" and through a Sufjan Stevens cover. These songs started me looking into classic country music in the years after this album came out. But even if you're not here for the country fest, there's lots to love here. "Foreverandever, Etc.", "Here Is Our King", and "We Win!" are energetic praise songs. "Wholly Yours" has a bunch of fun wordplay mixing "wholly" and "holy", words that sound pretty much the same though they are spelled differently. This album is probably David Crowder Band's finest, and with over 65 minutes of music, there's much to love here. You might skip the closing two tracks which is a scripted interview about art and worship, but I usually listen to it because it's pretty funny. This is an epic album and is a work of art more than it is a few new songs to be sung at church services.

Release Year: 2005
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