Anchor Hymns "The Garden (Live)" Album Review

Prime Cuts: How Precious Your Presence to Me, Oh, To be Like You, Be Unto Your Name

Overall Grade: 4/5 

Anchor Hymns is a multigenerational collective of artists dedicated to creating songs of substance that resonate across diverse backgrounds and generations. Their sophomore record for Integrity Music, "The Garden (Live)," was recorded in the heart of Nashville, TN, at Covenant Presbyterian. The project has 14 songs and features the vocals of 15 artists, including Paul Baloche, Caroline Cobb, Stefan Cashwell, Sarah Kroger, Sandra McCracken, Dee Wilson, Citizens and more.

If your taste in worship music leans to the side of hymns and soundbites of familiarities, "The Garden (Live)" is a sheer delight. Not only are new songs included, but also hymns and more contemporary endeavors like the Getty's "In Christ's Alone," Sandra McCraken's "We Will Feast in the House of Zion," and Robin Mark's "Be Unto Your Name." Eschewing the big church professionalism, "This is Love" has an intimate call and response from the worship leaders and the congregation that would be perfect for a smaller church setting. Performed by Sarah Kroger Sandra McCracken, the title cut "In the Garden" is prided for its intimate lyrics: With tears of blood that longest night/He took the cup ought to be mine/Though in thе darkness, I fell asleep/Therе in the garden, I wake to see.

You cannot go wrong with "We Will Feast in the House of Zion." Steeped in the eschatological theology and accessible via its spirited melody, "Zion" must be on many churches' worship setlists. Citizens return to take the lead on "Where Can I Go That My Maker Won't Go," which animates the message of Psalm 139 in compelling ways. Despite a tepid rendition of the Getty's "In Christ Alone," Anchor Hymns are redeemed by an elegant Eagles-vibed cover of "Holy, Holy, Holy."

Paul Baloche's fingerprints are all over "Oh, to Be Like You" --- if you do like his previous ballads, you will love this one. The album's highlight is Sarah Kroger and Stefan Cashwell's "How Precious Your Presence to Me." The gentle plucking of the acoustic guitar, Kroger's warm and yearning vocals, and the song's simple yet heartfelt lyrics make this a worship gem. Also not to be missed is the uplifting anthem "We Have Hope," which seamlessly segues into the hymn "It is Well." "The Garden (Live) "may not charter new grounds regarding worship music. Neither is every song perfect. However, as the title suggests, this intimate collection presents many vignettes of what it means to draw near to Jesus in various contexts of joys and suffering.

 

 

Tags : Anchor Hymns "The Garden (Live)" Album Review Anchor Hymns Paul Baloche Integrity Music Caroline Cobb Citizens Dee Wilson Stefan Cashwell sarah kroger