I’m a bit of a music snob. If you know me, you know that.

That being the case, it’s not too often that a worship album really grabs me and holds me for long periods of time. Of course,  I could cite some examples to the contrary, like John Mark McMillan’s The Medicine or Delirious’s Glo, both of which I would rank among the very best creative works ever in the worship genre. Now, I am pleased to have developed a similar affection for Amber Brooks’s new(ish) album Still I Rise.

The album is organic and diverse, showing a lot of influence from classic rock and country. The hint of country is more of the “musicians on a porch” feel than modern pop-country (think Alison Krauss or Patty Griffin, not “Redneck Yacht Club” or “Man, I Feel Like A Woman”). “He Found Me” is infectiously joyous, and “To Whom it May Concern” has a hauntingly rapturous sound. “Vagabonds” even nods at progressive rock, with an odd time signature and a verse melody that sounds a whole lot like a song by the band Yes. To sum up the sound of the album: it is very well produced and is richly styled.

Obviously the sound is not the most significant aspect of a worship album, and Still I Rise is beautiful in its exaltation (“He Found Me”, “Make Way”), in its desperation (“Mighty Rushing Wind”, “Like You Promised”), and in its confidence in the Lord (“Heavenly Places”, “To Whom It May Concern”). We have been doing many of these songs recently at DaySpring, and there’s no doubt they have helped raise the bar in our pursuit of the Lord. Just this morning I got really messed up listening to “Heavenly Places” (so much so that I keep tearing up just at the sight of the song’s title).

Here’s some lines from “Heavenly Places”:
Self-focus is way overrated, I’m so quick to point out my flaws, But when You look at me, When you look my way

You call me worthy, You see beauty, You see purity, You see purpose, You see value, You see who I’ll be

Amber’s MySpace: myspace.com/ambernbrooks

Purchase links:
For MP3 download purchase, I highly recommend Amazon.