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New Zealand sure has high-energy praise and worship music, and its name is The Parachute Band. The band's 1999 You Alone debut was a good start, with one huge flaw. I had a problem with its first release, fine as it was, without "party vocals" that were added to the debut recording from The Parachute Band. It sounded contrived, and they've come a long way, baby!

I was ready to write off The Parachute Band until the group released Always and Forever, including the title track and "I Am Aware," both high-energy praise and worship songs without the whoops and hollers of the group's debut project. It was also a fine transition to The Parachute Band's very fine culmination to its latest Love and Adore project. What did they do? A two-volume set which encompasses the best of what modern praise and worship should be. Give a listen to Love and Adore, as its first set ("Love") is a studio recording, with the second set ("Adore"), a praise and worship recording.

It's my wish that Christian Hit Radio stations will give "All My Life," the kickoff song from the collection, airplay. From the second disc, "Adore" fits the bill nicely. These two songs encompass the entire spectrum of Love and Adore, and if you like these songs, get a copy of Love and Adore.

From disc one, the highlights are rock-based "All My Life," as well as "Getcha," the Parachute Band party atmosphere hip-hop feel, "Jesus," a back-to-basics heavy-guitar intro, "Emmanuel," R&B, and "Getcha" and "Shout It," highlighting the band's sound in its first two projects. This set ends with a very beautiful, retrospective "Touch Me Lord," a dandy merge to the "Adore" set of this project.

The Parachute Band turns up the volume on disc two. "Give It Up" sounds like Hillsongs Australia turned up all the way. It follows nicely with "Praise Him," which stands up to any song from the band's debut release, without the background party vocals. This recording is praise and worship, and I'm pleased with the results.

The Parachute Band presents its own material, and "Adore" is the clear standout from this collection. Its sharp and cutting edge, should be compared to offerings from Delirious?, Matt Redman or the best of Hillsongs, Vineyard, Maranatha! and many praise and worship offerings. Be warned: it's youth oriented.

If you prefer praise and worship without loud guitars, stay away from Love and Adore and get a copy of You Alone or Always and Forever. The Parachute Band has recorded its best across-the-board praise and worship collection that will reach out to many generations in the body of Christ. Not to overlook the lyrics at all, The Parachute Band has always been tight-knit with glorifying Him in the group's lyrics, and you only need to listen to see that the band hasn't compromised, but instead, has tightened its lyrics.

Watch out, world! The Parachute Band is on its way! This project is one I wouldn't hesitate to play and worship with for any youth group anywhere. Incredibly powerful and a fine step forward from its first two projects. If you're ever heard of the Parachute Band, this recording is for you! And they're not going to stop with "Love and Adore." Look for more from this New Zealand P&W  band....

Olin Jenkins  March 17, 2001