Review Summary: If you like Christian/Gospel music I recommend this album, if you aren’t into this sort of music then don’t worry in picking this up because you won’t be loosing much.
After being active since 1999 and releasing 7 albums, Hillsong United has finally released their first studio album,
All Of The Above. The album debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top Christian/Gospel albums, and has moved to #60 on Billboard US Top 200. All of the Above makes a stand for Christian and Gospel music, showing that the genre is alive and that some good music can be found in it.
This isn’t an excellent album by any means, but it does show sparks of greatness and a line of enjoyable songs. This can easily be described as a praise and worship radio-friendly album, but it won’t be a completely accurate description.
All of the Above has more than radio-friendly mainstream rock tunes, it has variety, musical skill, and the will to send a message.
Musically and vocally
All of the Above succeeds in having great variety. This will come very handy given the fact that it is 73 minutes long with the average song lasting 4:30. However although this variety does help make the album bearable, it isn’t enough to keep it from turning boring and tiring after a while. In this album one can find slow ballads, jumpy poppy songs, even some hard-rocklike songs with some nice drum lines and crafty guitar riffs; the best example of this last type is the song
Break Free which is a clear highlight of the album. Instrumentally there is nothing mind-blowing and great about this album and nothing really stands out (with the rare exception of the guitar). It is also very important to note that this album has three different lead vocalists, including a female, each leading different songs. To some this would be a bad thing, but all of the vocals a very well done and the female one is quite a refreshing change.
The lyrical content of this album is obvious, being a Christian worship album the lyrics go in that direction. Some of the lyrics can be very cheesy, but there is also some nice originality. If you are into this type of lyrics chances are that you will really like them, but if you like Slayer… just kidding, but if you are not into this type of lyrics chances are the album will be really boring.
Like Christian music or not, it can’t be denied that this album is full of emotion. The band does all it can to send their message and make it reach as many as possible. This album is not just for the music, it is for the music as a way to send a message of a higher value, and that is something that Hillsong Untied knows very well how to do.
If you are into Christian music: 3.5/5
If you are not or don’t care about Christian music: 2.5/5
