Fee's second project "Hope Rising" comes after much acclaim from their freshman album "We Shine" which garnered a No. 1 radio smash hit in "All Because of Jesus, and four GMA Dove Award nominations including a nod in the "New Artist of the Year" category.
Opening song "Rise And Sing" had me hooked immediately with the lyrics "If you're alive and you've been redeemed...rise and sing" with an upbeat melody similar to "We Shine" from the debut album. "Greatly To Be Praised" keeps the great melody going and is another song I can imagine singing with fellow believers. As for the band's first single "Glory To God Forever", Steve says "There is a message for us here in this era and period in church history. I'm confident that songs which echo the victory of Christ are exactly what we, the Church, want to say and God, in his timely way, put songs in us like "Glory To God Forever." This is one of my favorite songs of the year and it has already risen to the top of the Christian chart.
The Atlanta-based foursome's newest release contains twelve original tracks. Though the band continued with their signature worship sound on the record, "Hope Rising" also includes statement songs that the band hopes will transcend one style of music. It was after recording tracks such as "Everything Falls" and "Promised Land," that the group decided on the title "Hope Rising". In fact, the song "Arms that Hold the Universe" was born out of a concert the band did shortly after the March church shooting in Maryville, Ill for the congregation as a message reminding listeners that when you factor in God to any circumstance, you will find hope.
"Hands Of The Healer" was also recorded by John Waller on his album "While I'm Waiting". The album closes out with "Your Love Is Better Than Life" based on Psalm 63:3, and "Send Me Out". There is a great mix of upbeat and reflective songs, all of which are perfect for any worship setting, whether personal or with a body of believers. After such a great first album, I wasn't sure if Fee could match the intensity and catchiness of "We Shine", and yet they've actually taken it up a notch with "Hope Rising" in my opinion.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
I can't get enough of this album and every song is worshipful, totally catchy and instantly sing-able. For me, the standout songs are "Rise And Sing", "Greatly To Be Praised", "Glory To God Forever", "Everything Falls" and "Promised Land". I rank this album in my top 15 albums of 2009 and if you like fellow Passion Conference worship albums "We Shall Not Be Shaken" by Matt Redman and "Life Light Up" by Christy Nockels, then I highly recommend "Hope Rising" by Fee.
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Experiencing Worship, The Study