Designer Mom

March 2010
M	T	W	T	F	S	S
« Feb
1	2	3	4	5	6	7
8	9	10	11	12	13	14
15	16	17	18	19	20	21
22	23	24	25	26	27	28
29	30	31

Review: Phil Wickham

Written on June 23, 2006 // Miscellaneous Comments Off

Album: Phil Wickham Label: Simple Records, 2006

I’ve been listening to Phil Wickham’s CD for a month now, and to be honest, not much else. From the opening note in Always Forever to the last hum of guitar in Yours Alone, I’m hooked. There’s something this guy has though, which not a lot of mucisians have today, except maybe Ben Taylorand that’s a dual parental influence. Phil’s parents were both making godly music in a band called Parable before Phil was born, and they continue today, so it’s no wonder there’s a guy like Phil who can write, play, and sing like a man not just bound for heaven, but who in his heart is already there.

The sound is unmistakably his. And yet, I there’s this beautiful mix of classical and rock influence, like in Crumble to Pieces it flows from a whining violin to a rough electric guitar and back to the violin, but a little less whiny the second time, more like a sparrow flying through a city at night, like he wasn’t supposed to be there but he’s enjoying the night air because it’s what was given him.

Quickly becoming my favorite song on the album, I hear Divine Romance everywhere I go, whether I have my ipod near or not, I hear it.

For you I sing and dance Rejoice in this divine romance lift my heart and my hands to show my love to show my love

Another good driving song, which is bound to loose my chains no matter what, but Phil makes it pull me back down too. It’s like the ultimate love song, but not for a woman… for God. It rips at my heart, amplifying the desperation I have some days to just get to Heaven and forget all of this while at the same time grounding me in the knowledge that we’re here for a purpose and we’re not to usurp God’s plan by calling for Heaven too soon.

The depth and the beauty of his songs are equally matched with a voice you can never forget….Phil has such an incredible sense of melody, lyrics that read like poetry, and I believe the listener will leave with feelings of the greatness of God, and at the same time the desire for God to have an intimate relationship with us. Pete Kipley

Then there’s Grace. When I used to think of Phil Wickham, I remembered this kid who led worship for the teens, whose parents led me in worship. I remember some sweet music that was beautifully performed but always seemed to have a little too much influence from his parents to be his own. And then I hear him today and I’m struck by God’s use of this guy’s talents. When God says he’s not finished with you yet, there’s proof in Phil. He’s growing with every note. With words like, I need a voice that’s louder than mine, who today can’t relate to that?

Phil is able to use his own experiences to capture the everyday, the mundane, and put it in relationship to Christ and it becomes so much more. Phil is one of the greats and someone you’ll want to keep an eye on.