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True Tunes Records holds hands with its associated companies: Rhythm House Records (artists include Chris Taylor and Mitch McVicker), and Paste Music, who provides distribution for many of the
artists from this collection. True Tunes Worship Alternative is a perfectly delightful compilation for modern praise and worship music, and I am happy to say that this eclectic collection includes no duds.

I expected a rock and roll praise project after hearing the opening track, Tonjip's "How Many Times," from the project Room to Be. The next song is "Blood of Jesus" from The Rock & Roll Worship Circus, which is 60s/70s retro, or more currently, along the lines of Vineyard's The Burn Service. This song, along with "Yours Completely" by the Pool Boys, are definitely praise and worship songs that have a universal feel for all services. They're the standout songs from Worship Alternative.

I tip my hat to True Tunes for compiling its diverse artists into a one-volume set that works smoothly for the listener instead of sounding disjointed with such a wide variety of styles under one hat. In the midst of modest guitar and voice offerings from Battered Fish ("The Taste"), the Pool Boys' "Yours Completely," Candace Hargett ("Isaiah 6"), and Nate and James ("Psalm 57") is a rocker by Kate Miner, "Carry Me," from her project Live from the Strip.

This was the first time I've heard Nate and James ("Psalm 57" from their self-titled project), and I laughed a little. The guys borrowed the "doop-doo-doop-doo" chorus from "Walk on the Wild Side" from Lou Reed. That's not bad, is it?  It leads into "Oh God, I praise you," and I like it!

Sycamore turns in an excellent version of Charlie Hall's "King Eternal," which is unique to this project, alongside Daniel's Window's "Illuminate." For True Tunes fans, these two songs are the reason you need to have this project in your collection.

To cap off this project, "All Right" by The Violet Burning sounds like "Let My Words be Few" by Matt Redman: a bit subdued, with elements of the Beatles and the Waiting thrown in for good measure.

Maybe I'm being nit-picky, but I'll comment on the font on the packaging. I read "Nate and James" as "Hate and James." Choose a different font next time, guys. That little problem doesn't detract from the fact that this compilation is a mighty dandy listen from True Tunes, with very few weak links. As a whole, Worship Alternative is worthy of a modern praise and worship collection for your personal or youth group addition.

Olin Jenkins April 29, 2001