Bethel Music is set to release their new album, “Have It All” on Friday, March 11. After a few listens, I can say this is one of the finer worship records I have heard…ever. I think many people are going to come back to this record often to find great and powerful congregational music for years to come. So pardon me as I gush profusely over the album in the following review.
Beginning with the production quality, Bethel hit a home run on this one. Many of the big names in the worship music scene have had some stellar production on their most recent records. This one certainly does not get left behind in this category. Each song has a punch to it that you can’t help but feel. Even in the medium paced songs you are left with an uncontrollable urge to bob the head to the music. It is a testament to the thoughtfulness of the arrangements and the great production that pulls the rhythms out into their full prominence.
The rhythm section on every song is one of the bigger surprises. As I mentioned already, you feel this record rhythmically. The drums are given great prominence in the mix, and the sparseness of the rhythms creates a very good pocket. You will rarely, if at all, find four-on-the-floor bass, or even a standard rock beat. Each drum part is unique and powerful adding, quite effectively, to the impact of each song.
Another bright spot of this different approach to the drums is the ability for the guitars to take some of the rhythmic load. Again, on nearly every song, there is a rhythm guitar part that absolutely brings each song home. The darkness of the tones, the interplay with the aforementioned drums, and the great use of space in between song parts creates a ton of interest in the guitar part. Much like the drums, the guitar parts on this record make a lot of the songs what they are. Without question, the timbre of each song is set by these two instruments and the effect is winning.
Lyrically, this is a powerhouse of a worship record. Oftentimes there is a tendency in worship to fall back on tropes that have become cliché and ambiguous. This is not the case on “Have It All.” From beginning to end there is a laser-sharp focus on Christ as the center of their worship. In what is perhaps the most refreshing record I have heard lyrically, the songwriters have made a distinct point to write of the matchless nature of God, with the notable exceptions of the title and lead tracks from the record. These don’t in any way diminish the accomplishment of writing more than a dozen catchy, beautiful, powerful, deeply theological, and Christ-centered songs that can I like to describe as pure worship. Songs like “Praises,” “Be Enthroned,” and “Greatness of Your Glory” declare the heights of God’s majesty. “Faithful To The End,” “Pieces,” and “Mercy” speak of God’s love and kindness to his people. “Son of God” and “Lion And The Lamb” acknowledge the complexity of our God who is powerful, yet willing to die for the sake of the world. “Thank You” is both simple and powerful in its expression of gratitude to a God who pursues us. In all, the album scores massive points for the heavenward focus, attempting to express in so many ways the fullness of Christ.
If you haven’t figured out by now, I highly recommend this record. The catchy songs will stick with you. You will feel the impactful rhythms. The lyrics will point you to Christ. In worship music, you cannot ask for more. This may just be a perfect worship record.