Phil Wickham “Hymn of Heaven” Album Review

Prime Cuts: Hymn of Heaven, Battle Belongs, Heart Full of Praise
Overall Grade: 3.75/5
Though Phil Wickham has had been releasing music since 2003, he wasn't propelled to superstardom until "This is Amazing Grace" hit #1 on the Billboard's Christian Airplay chart in 2014. "Grace" not only became a RIAA-certified platinum single, but it also became a worship staple across many churches. "Living Hope" and this album's lead single "Battle Belongs" have become worthy successors, both of them have topped the chart and they have found a place among the worship song set of countless churches.
After a three year wait in between albums, Wickham is back with his eighth career album Hymn of Heaven. Teaming up with Bethel's Brian Johnson, Kalley Kelligenthal, and Brandon Lake, Hillsong's Chris Davenport, Passion's Sean Curran and Melodie Malone as co-songwriters, Wickham doesn't seem to be able to do any wrong (at least not on paper). Sure enough, there are some future classics here. The title cut "Hymn of Heaven" lives up to its titular: it has a strong hymnic structure with well-crafted words that speak of the day we will meet Christ face to face. The bombastic "Battle Belongs" boasts some thought-provoking lines, gorgeously illustrating our submission and Christ's active involvement in our lives: "So when I fight, I'll fight on my knees/With my hands lifted high/On the battle belongs to You."
Brian Johnson (who has a hand in co-writing 5 out of the 13 cuts) join forces with Brandon Lake and Wickham to co-write "Where I'm Standing Now." The before and after scenarios of how Christ has changed our lives is set in such a beautiful contrast that makes this worship ballad a highlight. Speaking of ballads, album closer "Heart Full of Praise" is a tender and heartfelt testimony to the transforming power of Jesus. "3:16," as you may have guessed, is an exposition of John 3:16. The song is earmarked as a spontaneous worship piece. If this is really a spontaneous worship moment, how can six songwriters be credited to the song? Did all six of them blurt out the song together in the spur of the moment?
The album is by no means perfect. "Falling in Love," with lots of pedantic lines, is a schmaltzy piece that treats Jesus as some glorified boyfriend. Wickham, like many singer-songwriters of the CCM genre, have not freed himself from the trappings of cliches. "Look to Jesus" is a re-write of Wickham's "Living Hope." While "1,000 Names" is a thesaurus of some of the most used-cliches in worship music today. Nevertheless, the record is redeemed by Wickham's take of Bethel's "God of Revival" (which Wickham co-wrote) and the current single "It's Always Been You." Hymn of Heaven may not be perfect, but it does have its celestial moments.
Tags : Phil Wickham “Hymn of Heaven” Album Review Phil Wickham phil wickham new album phil wickham news
Hot Trends
-
Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith and CeCe Winans Announce Christmas Together Tour
-
Carrie Underwood Worships with "How Great Thou Art" at American Idol
-
Chris Tomlin’s Ninth Annual "Good Friday Nashville" Sells Out Bridgestone Arena
-
The Gaither Vocal Band Says Farewell to Two Members
-
Franklin Graham's "Easter from the Ashes" Features Charity Gayle and Michael W. Smith
-
"Soul On Fire," Inspired By Boy Who Defied Death, will be in Theatres on Oct. 10
-
New DocuFilm "Show Me Your Glory" Explores Faith and the Supernatural
-
Veteran CCM Artist Steve Camp Returns with His First Original Christmas Song "Immanuel"
-
Hillsong UNITED'S Joel Houston’s AMXNRADIO Unveils Debut Album
-
Benita Jones Survives Tragic Accident
-
Here Are Lyrics to Matt Redman, Chris Tomlin, TAYA & Friends' "How Great Thou Art (Until That Day)"
-
Story Behind Chris Tomlin's New Song "Is He Worthy?"
-
Getting to Know Hawaiian Singer-Songwriter Ron Artis II & His New Song "Chosen"
-
Stars Go Dim Illuminates The Way Home With "A Little Light," Out Today
-
Hillsong Church Criticized Over the Appearance of the "Naked Cowboy"
Most Popular
-
Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith and CeCe Winans Announce Christmas Together Tour
-
Carrie Underwood Worships with "How Great Thou Art" at American Idol
-
Chris Tomlin’s Ninth Annual "Good Friday Nashville" Sells Out Bridgestone Arena
-
The Gaither Vocal Band Says Farewell to Two Members
-
Franklin Graham's "Easter from the Ashes" Features Charity Gayle and Michael W. Smith
-
"Soul On Fire," Inspired By Boy Who Defied Death, will be in Theatres on Oct. 10
-
New DocuFilm "Show Me Your Glory" Explores Faith and the Supernatural
-
Veteran CCM Artist Steve Camp Returns with His First Original Christmas Song "Immanuel"
-
Hillsong UNITED'S Joel Houston’s AMXNRADIO Unveils Debut Album
-
Benita Jones Survives Tragic Accident
-
Here Are Lyrics to Matt Redman, Chris Tomlin, TAYA & Friends' "How Great Thou Art (Until That Day)"
-
Story Behind Chris Tomlin's New Song "Is He Worthy?"
-
Getting to Know Hawaiian Singer-Songwriter Ron Artis II & His New Song "Chosen"
-
Stars Go Dim Illuminates The Way Home With "A Little Light," Out Today
-
Hillsong Church Criticized Over the Appearance of the "Naked Cowboy"