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Fee--We Shine 2007 Reviewed by Ann Ahrens Led by Steve Fee, artist-in-residence at North Point Community
Church in Atlanta, the group Fee makes their goal to “draw attention to God….
[and] sing about something worth living for.” Their debut album We Shine
introduces 12 original worship songs ranging in theme from vertical,
God-directed worship to confessions of faith, evangelism, grace, the Cross and
the Blood. Their musical style is described as “energetic, relevant rock,” and
from what I heard, I would wholeheartedly agree. You can expect the standard
heavy electric guitar and drum-based accompaniments, flavored occasionally with
synthesizer, acoustic piano, and acoustic guitar. The album contains a good mix of up-tempo, moderate, and
slower songs. What particularly stood out to me was the straightforwardness of
the lyrics: the blood, the cross, Jesus, grace. The message is clear--you
don't have to wonder what their message is, sacred or secular. With the
increasing lack of lyrics that directly mention the aforementioned list, I found
the songwriting refreshing and encouraging. Several songs on this album stood out to me as great choices
for a youth band/choir. “Grace Will Be My Song” is a great song with
themes of deliverance, forgiveness, redemption, thanksgiving, and salvation.
This song helped to sell me on this group. This is straightforward, unashamed
writing--quite refreshing when compared to so many songs that ring hollow as a
bass drum! Also in the youth band category is “Glorious One,” a praise
anthem that freely mentions the Name of Jesus and contains accessible lyrics and
chord changes. Next “Beautiful The Blood” contained great juxtapositions of
words:
As I was listening to “Beautiful The Blood,” I couldn't help
but think of the hymn by Isaac Watts, “When I Survey The Wondrous Cross.” This
could possibly be a great addition to this song. Finally, in the youth band category, I would include “You are
The Light.” This is a more acoustic guitar-based song--great for many
youth bands/choirs. Along with great music, it contains a great message:
If you enjoy driving rhythms, hard rock guitar sounds,and just
plain energy, energy, energy, “Broadcast” is the song for you. Drums, drums,
drums, drum . . . ention drums? This is without doubt the rockiest song of the
set. I admit I hit the skip button after a few minutes of this one. That's not
a negative statement against the song, just that it's not my preference. But I
have to admit the theme was great: proclaim the Name, celebrate the Name,
celebrate that God is good and He reigns. Also in this category is the opening song, “We Shine,”
a song with an evangelistic message about our function and purpose, a song to
pump Christians about who they are and to get them excited about the mission.
Although wordy, the lyrics are sound:
If moderate tempos with thought-provoking words are more your style, you might try “Burn for You,” a song of willing abandonment: Revival fires burning, great awakening…Do anything, go anywhere, burn for you To the farthest part, 'till every heart has heard… Also in this category is “All Because of Jesus” and
“Lift High,” songs that proclaim the greatness of God and compel us to
celebrate the sacrifice of the Cross that enabled our freedom. The vocals are typically but not overly bright; they're well
done and accessible. With pretty serious themes and lyrics, I concluded I have to
think these guys are for real. I appreciate that they express some core
beliefs/themes that seem to be absent in much of our praise and worship music
today. With a good mix of praise and worship and thought-provoking ballads and
up-tempo songs, Fee's We Shine is a great choice. © 2007, Ann Ahrens ---------- Ann Ahrens teaches at Gateway College of Evangelism and Missouri Baptist University in St. Louis where she pounds the ivories for a living. In addition to teaching she also enjoys history, travel, Cardinals baseball, her cat Mama and spoiling the cutest niece in the world, Miss Alli Jo. |
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