Wow series has been so famous for
the past few years. To be more specific, the series includes Wow Hits, Gospel,
#1s, and Worship. These compilation albums are made up of various CCM songs
from different artists, labels, and styles. Though many are questioning its
relevance, these albums do certainly sell millions of copies worldwide. For an
album collector like me, I do not give much attention to compilation albums
because I prefer getting the original artist’s album; especially of those that
I like.
Unlike Wow Hits, Wow Worship
albums are not being released annually. Its last release was in 2010 (Wow
Worship Purple) until this year—the new addition to the series is the ‘Lime’ Edition. It comprises 30 powerful
tracks (plus six on the deluxe edition) from today’s top artists.
After receiving it from House of
Praise along with three other new albums, I paid the least attention to it
because it is really not my type as I stated earlier. But when I start gazing
upon its track list written in the cover, Wow! By looking to its song line-up, I
must say that this one makes a great collection, more inspired and well-planned
than the Hits series. This new edition has several of my favourite worship
songs, and I can’t believe that it is possible to a find an album like this.
I am sure that the songs in this
album have already been known and sung by many Christians through the past
years since the last Wow Worship edition. Nine of the songs in the album, which
are noted as new recordings are actually new covers. Songs include White Flag, Lay Me Down, Stronger, Christ Is
Risen, From the Inside Out, Holy Spirit, Jesus Son of God, The Stand, and Always (mostly are Hillsong originals).
Among these covers, I find White Flag,
Stronger, From the Inside Out, and The
Stand better than their original releases.
Mostly, the songs that are
included in this edition are the standouts on their respective albums. The opening
songs on discs one and two, Our God (Chris Tomlin) and Cornerstone (Hillsong
Live), respectively, has been sung probably hundreds of times in churches on
Sundays around the world. Both are album title tracks. Hillsong United’s Oceans
(Where My Feet May Fail) has been rising in popularity since its release in
2011. This K-Love Fan Award-winning song has been one of the most loved tracks
in their Zion album. In addition to its in-depth lyrics, Taya Smith’s voice
suits perfectly to the mood of the song; and that makes the song so
irresistible to sing.
Wow Worship Lime cannot be
completed without the very popular Matt Redman-hymn 10,000 Reasons. Because of
its powerful appeal and compelling message, I must say that this is his biggest
hit since The Heart of Worship. Another popular song that is good to be found
in the album is David Crowder Band’s How He Loves, which is also included in
Wow Hits 2010.
I have numerous Wow albums in my
collection, and I listen to them the least. For Wow brand to survive in the
future, they should be smarter and meticulous on choosing the songs. For an
album collector like me, Wow albums are last on my list. But for those people
who want to listen to new songs without being so extravagant on buying numerous
albums, compilation projects like these are good to be had.
Overall, Wow Worship Lime is a very
strong and indeed powerful compilation album. I have never encountered a
collection project where songs are as well-picked as this one. Heartfelt,
enjoyable, and great are some of the words to describe the album. I am hoping
that the future releases from Wow are as good as this one.
Rating: 5/5
Track Listing:
DISC 1:
Our God [Chris Tomlin]
God’s Not Dead (Like a Lion) [Newsboys]
10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) (Radio Version) [Matt
Redman]
Lord, I Need You [Matt Maher]
Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) [Hillsong UNITED]
How He Loves (Radio Version) [David Crowder Band]
Redeemed [Big Daddy Weave]
Love Came Down [Kari Jobe]
White Flag [Building 429]*
Glorious Day (Living He Loved Me) [Casting Crowns]
One Thing Remains [Kristian Stanfill]
Open Up the Heavens [Vertical Church Band]
Your Great Name [Natalie Grant]
Forever Reign [Chris August]
Beautiful Things [Gungor]
Lay Me Down [Rush of Fools]* [BONUS]
Stronger [Dara Maclean]* [BONUS]
Revival [Soulfire Revolution] [BONUS]
DISC 2:
Cornerstone [Hillsong LIVE]
Christ Is Risen [Tenth Avenue North]*
From the Inside Out [for KING AND COUNTRY]*
Your Love Never Fails [Jesus Culture]
Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies) [Passion]
Overcome (Radio Version) [Jeremy Camp]
Holy Spirit [Francesca Battistelli]*
Give Me Faith [Elevation Worship]
Never Once [One Sonic Society]
Jesus, Son of God [Brandon Heath]*
Not For a Moment [Meredith Andrews]
The Stand [Hillsong Young and Free]*
The Power of the Cross [Matt Hammitt]
God is Able [Patrick Ryan Clark]
Waiting Here For You (Radio Version) [Christy Nockels]
Always [Rhett Walker Band]* [BONUS]
Cast My Cares [Tim Timmons] [BONUS]
Break Every Chain [Tasha Cobbs] [BONUS]
Disclosure: A review copy of Wow Worship Lime was provided for review by House of Praise, from whom you may purchase the album.
