It’s doubtful, but some of you might remember the wonderful album from 1999, With Abandon. The group was called the Chasing Furies and featured three siblings who broke up one year later as they were beginning to amass their own share of acclaim.
Nearly ten years later, Sarah Macintosh, the singer and guitarist of the Chasing Furies, has returned to music, with the release of what many are classifying as a “worship” album: The Waiters, The Watchers, The Listeners, The Keepers & Me.
Since the breakup of her former band, MacIntosh, with her husband Johnny, has been involved in full-time ministry at Horizon Christian Fellowship in San Diego, CA. According to the press release,
“They helped facilitate other musicians coming into town for concerts, worked with booking agents to set up concerts at their home church, worked within various ministries, and got to see and experience the ‘business’ side of music. This experience opened their eyes and helped them understand more than just the creative aspect of music.”
Apparently, MacIntosh’s ministry experience has ignited a renewed passion for music. She has released an album of hymns, recorded with Michael W. Smith and the David Crowder Band prior to her new solo release. Christianity Today says that the album:
“isn’t your mother’s worship album. It’s got a life of its own, combining MacIntosh’s hauntingly beautiful vocals with a highly polished alternative pop/rock sound courtesy of husband Jonathan MacIntosh (formerly of Luna Halo) in the producer’s chair and on guitars, as well as session veterans like Vinnie Colaiuta (Sting) on drums and Brent Milligan on bass.”
But don’t let the references to Michael W. Smith and Sting scare you. This is neither “adult alternative” nor “CCM.” Instead, MacIntosh has succeeded in making a God-centered, accessible yet catchy album that transcends the limitations one might expect with such references. The centerpiece, of course, is MacIntosh’s voice and rightly so. But this also brings up the problem with calling this a “worship” album. Most of the songs, though accessible and catchy, are not entirely friendly to corporate singing. Is any album with clearly God-focused content now known as a “worship” album, even in “Christian” circles?
The album is what most would describe as guitar-driven alternative rock/pop featuring good production and texture accenting MacIntosh’s voice without making it a gimmick. Many of the lyrics are drawn from MacIntosh’s personal journals and reflect a personal honesty and struggle often lacking in similar music. The track “Did You Know” will weave its way into your thoughts in the best of ways, playing itself on loop inside your head for days. Highly recommended.
Hmm…now that’s an interesting question: ‘Is any album with clearly God-focused content now known as a “worship” album, even in “Christian” circles?’
I think we can agree–the lines ARE blurry between ‘worship’ music and ‘artistic’ music (and, for that matter, between those two and entertainment). Which isn’t to say that they’re the same thing, just that there aren’t any fine, well-demarcated lines between the two.
With that in mind, what makes a song a worship song? Is it becasue it’s designed to sing at church?
Or maybe you’re on to something–maybe we’d be better off if we called all this mambsy-pambsy Christian pseudo-art ‘worship’ music, rather than pretending it’s good art (or even, at times, good entertainment).
Maybe all these songs with their unsubtle lyrics and refusal to move you in ought to be classified as worship because they’re not designed to grab you like art should, or be a lot of fun like entertainment should be.
They’re just designed to be sung (well by the original singer and perhaps poorly, but certainly in the car or shower, and maybe, and I do mean maybe, on Sunday morning, by everybody else) to God.
Why can’t we call an album with clearly God-focused content a worshp album? In fact, might that not be a more honest thing to call it?
“With Abandon” remains one of my favorite albums of all time. I still listen to it regularly. Thanks for letting me know that there is something new to listen to!
I totally remember the Chasing Furies. I used to like them back in the day. I’m glad to see Sarah Macintosh re-enter the music scene. Good review!
p.s. I’m checking out her music on MySpace and I definitely wouldn’t label it “worship” music in the traditional genre sense. However, it’s beautiful and that makes it worship all by itself.
