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Integrity Music has released their latest in their fine iWorship series; a double CD (with bonus DVD) entitled _No Boundaries_.  Integrity Music has been around a while, and their multimedia approach to worship music is useful to the church.  Each of these iWorship projects has a bevy of related projects available to assist the worship department of the local church - from songbooks to resource CD and DVDs. 

The prerelease copy did not have the Bonus DVD that comes with the finished product for me to review (it features worship videos from Don Moen, Hillsong, and Israel).  However, I did receive both CDs and was able to check out the multitude (33!) of worship songs included on No Boundaries.  Let’s get something straight right up front though, despite the very cool packaging/marketing job done by Integrity Music No Boundaries does have one boundary.  Here ya’ go:  this is CCM worship.  I know what you are thinking – “you say that like it is a BAD thing!”  Not necessarily, but you should know that (if you have not already guessed it!).  The package is chock full of some expected artists (Michael W. Smith, Twila Paris, Don Moen, Hillsong) and songs (“God is In Control,” “Who Am I,” Trading My Sorrows,” but thank heavens “God of Wonders” is NOT present), with a few nice surprises thrown in (Israel & New Breed’s rousing praise renditions, Shaun Groves “Bless the Lord,” the excellent “Isaiah 6” from Todd Agnew, and Bart Millard’s changed up “Just a Closer Walk”). Solid production and performances abound in No Boundaries, and if mostly middle of the road & inspirational worship from some of the favorite worship oriented bands and worship leaders is your cup of tea, you will LOVE this compilation.  My wife loves this compilation.  Me?  I like this compilation. 

There is a very cool feature on _No Boundaries_ that is simple, yet effective.  The songs flow together, with no space in-between them. This gives a nice flow, and reminds one of a worship service that is well thought out and seamless.  Nice touch.

Check out Integrity’s iWorship No Boundaries online 

See related products available with No Boundaries 

Barry Nothstine 10/23/2005

Barry Nothstine hosts Soul Frequency (http://www.soulfrequency.com ) a weekly FM radio show showcasing progressive rock, instrumental rock, power-pop, psychedelic rock, rock classics and more—great rock for the ages!

Sometimes you hear a song by an artist that makes you think "I'm not particularly a fan of that singer, but I wouldn't mind having a copy of this song."   No Boundaries has tried to fill that need for you.  Thirty-three songs on two discs, featuring a plethora of artists, comprised of songs you've heard either on the radio or in church – they're all here. 

"Who Am I" (Casting Crowns), "Isaiah 6" (Todd Agnew), and "Everyday" (Lincoln Brewster) are my personal choices for best songs on the set.   But longtime radio standards such as "I Could Sing of Your Love Forever" (Hillsong/Delirious?), and "God is in Control" (Twila Paris) are here as well, as well as more recent airplay like "Healing Rain" (Michael W. Smith), and "Bless the Lord" (Shaun Groves).   The usual suspects in worship music, such as Darlene Zschech, Don Moen, Paul Wilbur, and Hillsong are present as well.
 

No Boundaries comes across as a "how to" for modern church worship leaders.   Trust me, you will hear these songs again and again.  And again.  And in some cases, this is not a horrible thing.   In others, you just need to focus on the subject of the songs rather than the quality (or lack thereof) of the song.

Brian A. Smith
23 October 2005