God Is Able

Review: Hillsong’s “God Is Able”

Hillsong’s latest recording God Is Able is jangly-guitar heaven made up mostly of ballads and mid-tempo tunes. The lone, full-on rocker The Difference has the typical United feel, and while useable in worship, didn’t stand out to me.

Hillsong is with WorshipTogether now? Maybe that’s one reason Integrity has been fading.

Two trends I hear on this recording:

Long builds: Several songs start low key and build to a crescendo.

Withheld hooks: Catchy choruses take a long time to show up. The chorus of The Lost Are Found doesn’t appear until 2:44 (most worship songs barely even last 2 1/2 minutes!) But when the track lasts 8 minutes I guess this is ok.

WorshipIdeas recommends for corporate worship:

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Rise: Nice call to worship with a slow build and withheld hook (chorus appears at 2:03.)

Unending Love: A standout song of dedication that will get stuck in your head.

The Lost Are Found: Another slow build with a withheld hook – but a very catchy social justice tinged song.

God Is Able: Hooky intro groove – another hit from Ben Fielding and Reuben Morgan.

Alive In Us: Save this one for Easter.

Cry of the Broken: A standout song by Darlene Zschech: probably not a corporate worship song but a fantastic solo for communion and Easter.

PraiseCharts

Songs are linked to PraiseCharts.com – download lead sheets & chord charts.

Related resources:

>Video: Joel Houston talks about “God Is Able.”

>Reuben Morgan, Hillsong worship pastor and songwriter, explores the meaning and message behind the songs on the church’s latest live album.

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