Sure, we all know that a key to growing in God is to seek Him daily in His Word. Joel wants to undergird us in our efforts by offering "The deliberatePeople Album," a musical devotional, if you will. Yes, most worship albums aim there, but Joel avoids all the clichés and scores a direct hit, creating an atmosphere of purposeful direction and focus. The sound is well-developed and ambient, the message intimate, and the production, straight from his garage studio, is intelligent.
The reflective opener, "Time Alone," sets a tone of immediacy, expressing the desire for communion, and the following bouncy sparkler, "Desperate," confesses the severity of our need. Both songs are rife with sincerity, expressed well by Joel's passionate vocals. The challenging rocker "Changed" contains the familiar Newsboys energy, enumerating the practical effects of the transformed life, showing up in our marriages, friendships, time, and finances. This track illustrates well the helpful teaching potential of "The deliberatePeople Album." The raw rocker "Burning Down" has the same power to edify, as well as some solid R&B changes in its hooky chorus. Lyrically strong, its stirring message of "the burning down of me" is presented with all of Joel's considerable emotive powers and a side of Brit flair.
The album moves into deep worship mode in its second half, aided nicely by John Boyd on various keyboards and "unearthly noises." His touch adds greatly to the otherworldly atmosphere of the worshipful "Awe," lending the track just the right note of transcendence. From Joel's 2002 "Bring It On," "Return" is stripped down and revisited, this time as a quietly worshipful ode of thanksgiving. But the album's highlight has to be the wildly impressive six-minute closer, "Jealous," inspired by Hosea. The song begins from God's perspective, a gentle call to worship and vulnerable plea for connection; frankly, it's a perspective I found somewhat difficult to listen to, for all the right reasons. He moves from that call to an impassioned confession of neglect and finally, a moving cry of surrender. If you're breathing, this song will affect you one way or another.
Phil Joel has crafted an album wonderfully conducive to his worthy mission, but don't let that endorsement mislead you. This captivating release, releasing September 12, can hold its own musically. The fact that it serves also as a powerful devotional tool is just gravy. Tasty, delicious gravy. More, please, sir.
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