David Crowder*Band: "Give Us Rest" Review

After a long and well renowned career, David Crowder*Band are releasing their final album Give Us Rest (A Requiem Mass in C [the happiest of all keys]), and then discontinuing as a band. But the legendary rockers from Waco, Texas wouldn't simply fade from the Christian music world. Instead they go out with a bang, delivering an eclectic, elaborate and memorable two-disc album offering 34 tracks of fun and worship! 

As the album begins, we hear footsteps along a path with church bells ringing in the background. A very weird start to the album, but this can only be expected from DC*B. A church door opens, and the piano music begins. "Oh Great God, Give Us Rest" follows, a song that finds David Crowder passionately crying out for rest. With genuine sounding vocals, booming drums and stellar piano, the heartfelt opener makes for some of the band’s best work yet. Throughout the album you can hear worship choirs singing in Latin, making the listener feel as if they were in an old English church. It would be silly for me to review every track on the album, because it’s just too long. Instead, I will try and pick out some of the highlights. 

“Come Find Me” is a traditional, upbeat David Crowder worship tune that speaks of totally surrendering to God and giving Him all we have. The catchy melody and hooky acoustic guitar riff will stay in your head after every listen! This joyful song flows into the darker, synth-driven “God Have Mercy (Kyrie Eleison)”, which has a powerful repeated cry for mercy. The heavy beat and ambient electronic effects will remind listeners of the Church Music album, however these do not resound throughout the album. “Why Me?” is a raw acoustic guitar track with a Johnny Cash influence, while “Fall On Your Knees” is a radio-friendly tune that could easily be used in church; incorporating reverberated electric guitars with a poppy drum beat. The first single “Let Me Feel You Shine” is my favourite song from the album, and a reminder of why we’ll miss this band so much. Speaking of a desire to feel God’s light, this song features big distorted guitars, Hillsong-esque whoas in the chorus, pounding drums and passionate vocals. Everything about this song falls perfectly into place.

“Blessedness of Everlasting Light” is a somewhat quirky, fun worship song with a swingy tempo, church bells and music box effects. It brings back the 3/4 rhythm, a time signature that is very rarely heard in modern music. Seven tracks called “sequences” close out disc 1 of the album. “Sequence 1” is fast paced and seems to have a metal influence, as it features haunting pianos and finger tapping guitar. “Sequence 2” is chanted almost entirely in Latin, while “Sequence 3” is a heavenly instrumental and my favourite of the sequences. The band pours out their creative talents in these sequences, and you can tell they had fun making them.

Disc 2 of the album opens up with "Oh My God", a bluegrass track that reminds me of Mumford & Sons.  It's a great song with a simple yet passion filled chorus, as Crowder belts out in awe of God. "I Am A Seed" continues the upbeat country vibe, as it declares: "I am a seed / I've been pushed down into the ground / But I will rise up a tree." One of the highlights from the album, in my opinion, is "After All (Holy)". This song could easily find its way into the church. Listeners will be singing along to the worshipful chorus in no time, as it declares God's supremacy over the Earth. "Oh Great Love of God" is proves to be another highlight from the album, as it speaks of He "Who takes away the sin of all of us / Gone forever / Heaven open wide in Your resurrection." The remainder of the album is acoustic, delivering powerful songs of longing for heaven. These songs include "Oh, My God I'm Coming Home", "'Leaning On The Everlasting Light / 'Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus" and the sublime closing track "Because He Lives". 

 It's sad to say goodbye to one of Christian music's premier acts, but David Crowder*Band couldn't have ended their career any better than with Give Us Rest! This incredible 34 track mega-album will leave you hitting repeat after every listen, and it's a must have album for 2012! There is something for everyone on this eclectic album, from the stripped down hymns to the ambient worship tunes. This is by far the band's best work ever -- what a way to finish!  Thank you DC*B for presenting the world with amazing worship music for the past 12 years, and for taking the Christian music industry by storm. You will be missed!

Rating:  
Genre: Alternative / Worship / Pop / Bluegrass

Top 3 Songs:
1. Let Me Feel You Shine
2. After All (Holy)
3. Oh Great Love of God

Track Listing:
Disc One
1. Requiem Aeternam Dona Eis, Domine
2. Oh Great God, Give Us Rest
3. Lux Aeternam Shine
4. Come Find Me
5. God Have Mercy (Kyrie Eleison)
6. Why Me?
7. Fall On Your Knees
8. A Burial
9. Let Me Feel You Shine
10. Reprise #1
11. Blessedness of Everlasting Light
12. The Sound of Light
13. Interlude
14. Sequence 1
15. Sequence 2
16. Sequence 3
17. Sequence 4
18. Sequence 5
19. Sequence 6
20. Sequence 7

Disco Two
1. Reprise #2
2. Oh My God
3. I Am A Seed
4. After All (Holy)
5. The Great Amen
6. There Is A Sound
7. Oh, Great Love of God
8. Our Communion
9. Sometimes
10. A Return
11. Oh, My God I'm Coming Home
12. Leaning On The Everlasting Arms / 'Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus
13. Jesus, Lead Me To Your Healing Waters
14. Because He Lives