Simply super
Clint Schnekloth | Stoughton, WI | 08/06/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This new album of Jonathan's is an awesome and useful collection. It's not a concept album like Sound Theology, instead it is a big whopping collection of songs singable and listenable in a variety of contexts. Heartland Liturgy, included on disc one, is a great setting of the liturgy for use in worship. The remaining songs (Hey Samuel is my favorite) simply grow on you the more you listen, until you're dancing around the room to this heartland powerpop sensation"
Nothing like it
Joseph Johnson | ELLENSBURG, WA United States | 08/19/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Jonathan Rundman has a unique voice that may be unsatisfying or difficult to some, but there's a genius behind it that makes the song and songwriter become inseparable. Bob Dylan is hardly a good vocalist and I wouldn't pay a dime to hear him sing another person's songs, but when he sings his own, they work. So it is with Rundman.
What is particularly wonderful about this collection of songs is that it doesn't exist anywhere else. Rundman is in touch with liturgy, tradition and American rock. And despite a number of imperfections in recording quality and, yes, performance, this is a complete set of songs. There isn't anything that makes the record stronger by omission.
The Heartland Liturgy aspect of it grows into something missing throughout the Christian music scene - a grounding in tradition combined with the authentic and impassioned voice of the contemporary thirty-something, post-Beatles songwriter.
It should be noted that there are some disappointments, especially coming off the better production values of Public Library. And it is nearly impossible to compare this, or anything, to the breakthrough Sound Theology set. But the heart of those albums remains in this work. It is less focused and unvarnished, but a rewarding addition.
Beki Hemingway, whose voice was designed to be a perfect compliment to Rundman, joins on a few songs - most notably early forms of "Bethlehem Tonight" and they hymn "Lo How a Rose E'er Blooming." "By Grace" is an infinitely singable recitation of a passage out of Ephesians and "Lamb of God" is a wonderful piece of re-imagined liturgy.
Most of this album could be improved through better recording and even through a slightly more flexible vocalist. But the songwriting is solid and unequaled.
Note: The Amazon listing is only showing the tracks for the second disc. The first disc listing is as follows:
1. Texas Kyrie
2. Glory in the Highest
3. Psalm Tone Blues
4. Gospel Verses
5. The Great Thanksgiving / Holy Holy Holy
6. Lamb of God
7. Canticle for Departure
8. Mother's Womb
9. I Got A Problem
10. Were You There?
11. The Serious Kind
12. When Rising From the Bed of Death
13. Nyt Ylos Sieluni
14. Called 2 Service
15. Oh Love, How Deep
16. As You Did, Lord, At Emmaus
17. For As The Rain
18. Hometown
19. Out Behind the Old Hotel
20. Picture This (demo)
21. Well-worn Prayer
22. Will The Circle Be Unbroken"
Track Listings (22) - Disc #1