Alive Again

Putting your best tracks at the beginning of an album is, it has to be said, very poor planning. However that is what has happened with this new worship offering from Matt Maher. Basically it's the first 2 tracks that stand out on this album. "Shout Of The King" which is track 2 is probably the best song over all. It has an intro that stands out and doesn't sound entirely worshippy and a song that is driven forward by a very sharp drum sound. The chorus is catchy and the whole song takes scripture and uses it well to talk about the qualities of God and His care for us.

After this the album never quite reaches the heights of this track. That's not to say that the rest of the songs are bad, they just don't stand out in an over filled market! The other track that grabs attention because of it's familiarity is "Remembrance" (track 8) which was recorded on Matt Redman's album. This is no surprise as Matt co-wrote the track. The other track that catches the attention is track 3, as mentioned already this makes the album front heavy.

Matt Maher's vocals are pleasant enough, but there is nothing that grabs at you, no big thoughts or anthems that demand a listening ear. I am sure some tweaking could have been done to the order to spread these 3 good tracks across the disc. With the layout of the disc as it is I have to say it became background music, losing my interest during track 4 and 8 and again after that track!