R&B stands out
Heaven on Earth
Artist:
Planetshakers
Publisher:
Venture3Media (V3M)
Length: 1 hour 24
minutes
Can a music style
like EDM be used in praise and worship? Heaven on Earth by
Planetshakers answers a resounding yes and shows how effective it can
be.
EDM (Electronic
Dance Music) is employed in varying degrees on several tracks. This
may be challenging to those who are more inclined to the pop/rock
style of modern worship. Nevertheless, the performance is excellent
and provides contrast with the other styles. I still marvel that
years ago these sounds didn’t even exist. Improvements in
technology have not only made them possible but make them
fascinating.
What makes this
release worthwhile for me, however, is “Electric Atmosphere,” a
live recording of a different sort. This is an outstanding example of
making joyful sounds. It’s R&B worship at its best. The bass
pops. The guitars are so tightly clipped that it’s almost like you
could use them to cut hair or maybe a lawn.
The atmosphere is
charged with the sound of the crowd periodically repeating “hey”
and “ho” as if they are batting the words back and forth with
every outburst. What a hoot!
A similar winning
combination surfaces on “The Greatest,” another live cut, with
the audience proclaiming, “You are the greatest!” I truly enjoy
this R&B vibe.
“Move out of My
Way” comes in two versions. What surprises me is how well they do
the heavy metal version, a studio track. The first version is a
combination of several genres done live. I find a little humor in the
get out of my way so that I can lift up praise thought. The
songwriter is declaring an intention in the strongest possible terms.
The call and response is delightfully sassy.
For those who might
prefer worship anthems that start quiet and ebb and flow between
peaks and valleys, there are four live tracks that are each about
eight minutes or longer. I like the change from the EDM sound, but
they tend to be a little too familiar and repetitious.
This release is
actually the culmination of a trilogy. It includes songs previously
released in parts one and two, plus five additional songs released
from part three. Part three was released the same day as this one.
Ten of the songs are
also captured on video, which is part of the CD/DVD package. Nine of
the fifteen songs on the digital release are live.
The radio single of
the title track closes the digital release and is absent from the
physical CD. The album version is the third song.
Planetshakers is a
global movement based in Australia led by pastors Russell and Sam
Evans. They launched Planetshakers church in 2004, which now has over
14,000 members in Australia making it one of the nation’s fastest
growing churches. Currently, there are four global campuses including
one in Austin, TX.
