CD Review – Matt Redman, We Shall Not Be Shaken

Worship CD Review
Matt Redman, We Shall Not Be Shaken

Matt Redman’s songs have been a pretty constant fixture at worship services here at Cornerstone Church.  Probably the best known of his songs is the anthem Blessed be the Name.  Even though we have sung some of his best known songs, its been a long time since I’ve kept up with what he’s been writing lately.  I must say I am really impressed.

Musically it fits into the usual Brit-pop territory with a mixture of mid tempo rock and ballad work, played with pretty standard instrumentation.  There’s not a lot of high gloss production on this.   What does stand out is some of his best song writing, with strong melodic work, and a vocal delivery that is passionate and urgent.

The lyrics are really where this album stands out.  Matt tackles the issues of our day regarding economy and loss of hope and points us as listeners constantly back to Jesus, His cross,  and the hope of salvation.  The title track We Shall Not Be Shaken really helps to correct our focus from our modern issues, to the faithfulness of God.   This theme reappears on the song Through it All which again focuses on God’s strength and power in all situations of life.  Other highlights include Remembrance (Communion Song) written with Matt Maher (we sing a few of his songs as well) and This is How We Know which again points us to the love of God as the starting point of our worship and our will to serve the world (remember Cornerstone, our vision is to change the world).  The album ends with My Hope, a beautiful re-imagining of a classic hymn, in which I really got caught in the moment Matt was creating.

With a focus that is both current and timeless, this is without a doubt one of the best worship Cd’s I’ve heard in a long time.

Reviewed by Lorn Gieck

Worship Team Fall Training