REVIEW from March 2010 issue of Youthwork

ORGANic*Family Hymnal
Rend Collective Experiment
Survivor / £12.99

Reviewed by Martin Saunders, editor of Youthwork magazine.

To say Rend Collective Experiment’s debut album took me by surprise is an understatement. The result of a collaboration between around 15 musicians from in and around Belfast, it’s almost certainly the most original UK worship record in a decade. I say ‘around 15’ because the band themselves don’t seem entirely sure. While that might sound obtuse, it’s kind of the point - RCE don’t play by the rules.

The music itself hits you in relentless waves; from the slow build of rallying opener ‘Come on my soul’ onward. At no point does the album allow you to settle into a listening rut - there are so many musical ideas in every track that sometimes they’re fighting for your attention. Around every corner there’s a surprise - a sudden orchestral build; a clever riff; a children’s choir… This is an album of ideas, and for the most part they’re very good ones.

The second track, ‘Faithful’, is perhaps the most extraordinary example. It’s a great, pop worship song, and it’s building nicely, when suddenly they whip out… David Crowder! Just to do a verse and a chorus. Where did he come from? How on earth did they pull that one off, you wonder, while marveling at yet another impressive crescendo?

The single ‘Movements’, for which a very witty video is currently doing the viral rounds, is another standout track, with a male/female vocal combination offering another unexpected change of direction. ‘Exalt’ then offers the best example of the huge sound RCE can create by having a near-orchestra of musicians involved, and is one of many tracks to contain truly poetic lyrics; the refrain, ‘you’re the colour of my world’ seems such a poignantly refreshing way to praise God.

My favourite song of all is ‘Above Everything Else’, a foot-tapping guitar tune that morphs through Sufjan Stevens into the most remarkable use of child voices since Aled Jones was a boy. It’s the first among many equal reasons I’ve barely stopped listening to this album for a month.

That’s not to say the album is perfect. There’s probably at least one too many reworkings of classic hymns, and some of the slower songs don’t make the same impression as the more epic brethren. That said, ORGANic*Family Hymnal is still the most exciting debut album from a Christian artist since King of Fools. After this, Rend Collective Experiment are my new favourite band. Once you’ve heard them, there’s a good chance they’ll be yours too.