Rob’s Music Review – April 2011
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ALBUM REVIEW: GUNGOR – Beautiful Things
If you were to ask most people to identify today’s most popular genre of Christian music, and to name some of its most popular artists, they would probably suggest Contemporary Christian with people like Jeremy Camp, Chris Tomlin, and Michael W. Smith. Most people don’t move past the same label for Christian music and really only hear one small genre of Christian music. However, a larger movement of Christian worship music is emerging, which could almost be called “Indie Worship” – and Gungor is right at the top of this movement. Their first album, under their original band name “The Michael Gungor Band” was an incredible find. However, in their latest instalment under their new name, dropping the “Michael” and “Band” part, Gungor has taken us to new heights. Employing elements such as banjo’s, spoons and toy piano’s, and cool melodic harmonies, Gungor’s “Beautiful Things” is most definitely not an album you want to miss. The title track, “Beautiful Things” is an incredible declaration of God’s redemptive ability to turn anyone hurt and damaged into something beautiful. The urban rock-gospel groove “Heaven” features Israel Houston’s dynamic and malleable vocal work, the infectious chorus of “The Earth Is Yours” is a resounding achievement on this album, not to mention the haunting acoustic jam “Dry Bones” and the lullaby “Please Be My Strength” that are all landmarks on this album. If you buy one album this year, make sure to buy 2 and get this one as well – you won’t regret it.
If you like artists/bands such as Sufjan Stevens, Jason Upton, Shawn McDonald, and you don’t mind being a little challenged with your perceptions of worship music, then you will love Gungor.

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