The heavily textured intro leads into the slammin’ title track, a Crowder-like praise rocker. Like many of the “Heaven Hear Us” tracks, it is eminently sing-able. Shirley’s heart for the church shines throughout the album, and many of its songs were written for and inspired by the Gathering, his worship community in Kansas City. An artist/worshipper, he writes with his God and His church in mind, it seems.
The deeply worshipful “You Are Worthy [of Your Glory],” was sparked by a line of Gerard Manley Hopkin’s poem, “God’s Grandeur.” Previously recorded on his last record, “The Light of All Men” comes across as a prayer as much as a song, performed with great fervor, moving mid-track into a free-flowing jam of adoration.
But “Heaven Hear Us” is not all serenity. “Rise Up” is an old-school rocker, complete with ‘60s electric tidbits scattered throughout. The powerful “To Breathe You In” opens with percolating percussion and gorgeous strings. Its sonic tones are especially moving considering that the song was written about the first moments of his sister arriving in heaven following her accidental death.
Shane Bernard’s background vocals greatly enrich “Rich and Full,” a deeply expressive acoustic ballad. But the album’s standout track has to be its closing song of invitation, the vibrant “Holy Fire.” Lush and rich with glorious bits of shimmering sound, it leaves you in a state of awed worship, aimed heavenward. Jon Shirley’s heart for the church comes across beautifully on “Heaven Hear Us.” If you’re a worshipper you will have this one on the CD player for days on end.
