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Well, it's about time! For the skeptical: is Rebecca St. James simply jumping on the P&W bandwagon? No. RSJ has recorded praise songs on Heaven and Earth (produced by John Hartley of Phil and John), Eterne (ForeFront), and her own landmark Transform (the incredibly beautiful "My Hope"). I'll argue that RSJ has always sounded like praise and worship, and worship GOD is simply an overdue project. I'm pleased it's here.

Let's clarify what type of praise project this is not and is. It's very important to note that worship GOD has the stamp of Rebecca St. James with Matt Bronlewee returning in his duties as producer. The texture sounds very much like that of Transform (bringing RSJ into her own sound, not the era of God, arguably Alannis Morisette). It is not Vineyard or Maranatha! Music, and therefore, it's not for those audiences. RSJ's voice is at the -- ahem -- forefront, with few group vocals.

Here's what it is (youth leaders take note): "alive praise and worship," which is certainly what youth participants will say about this recording. I've heard of youth groups using "God" and "You're the Voice" for praise and worship. worship GOD is definitely a notch above that sound, certainly more youth-group-praise-friendly. What could have made this recording even more worship friendly is a "Side by Side" type of group vocal arrangements.

"Breathe" is already gaining a lot of airplay, and it's a good version of one of my favorite praise songs. I'm so used to the Passion Worship Band's version of "Better is One Day" that this reading takes getting used to. Ditto for "Above All." The standouts here are not the familiar P&W songs, but "Quiet You" and "Lamb of God," both excellent songs; the latter is perhaps the best candidate for youth praise and worship gatherings.

worship GOD is a natural progression from RSJ's God to Pray and her current sound of Transform, well performed and worthy of audience participation.

Olin Jenkins  2/6/2002

Grammy-award winning Rebecca St. James has compiled unique adaptations of her favorite worship songs on her new album, worship GOD.

Songs include "Quiet You," "Above All" (Lenny LeBlanc and Paul Baloche), "Song of Love," "It Is Well," "Let My Words Be Few" (Brian Doerksen), "Breathe" (Marie Barnett), "Better Is One Day" (Charlie Hall and the Passion Worship Band), "Lamb of God," and many more. Each song offers fresh new versions of these familiar worship songs for today.

"Above All" remains as a sweet melody with simple guitars and drumming, adding a strong chorus that really emphasizes the powerful lyrics--"Crucified, laid behind the stone. You lived to die, rejected and alone. Like a Rose trampled on the ground, You took the fall and thought of me, Above all"--similar to "Quiet You," which starts off calmly, yet with a fast tempo, and is given quite an edge in the chorus, with rougher guitar parts and strong vocals.

"Breathe" also focuses more on the compelling vocals and lyrics, as Rebecca sings the simple, yet extremely touching lyrics - "This is the air I breathe/Your holy presence living in me. This is my daily bread/Your very Word spoken to me. And I'm desperate for You, And I'm lost without You."

"Better Is One Day" is another up-tempo song; while "Lamb Of God" takes on more of a techno sound, with more background noises, drum loops, etc. Overall, worship GOD is one of the most impressive and diverse worship CDs I've ever heard. A highly recommended pick!

Jessica Heikoop 02/06/2002