Mezzamorphis

(This was written back in December 2009 for my friend Amy’s website. However, like the terrible person I sometimes am, I didn’t get it finished in time for her to publish it when the album was released. I could blame it on the hospital stay and the appendectomy, but that’s just an excuse.)

What can be said about a band which has had so many words written about them? With a sound that revolutionized worship in the modern church and a lyrical gift that praised our God and prodded us to go deeper, History Makers is the culmination of 17 years of Delirious?.

Delirious? has released eight studio albums in the United States and History Makers picks out pieces of each one of them, combining the varying sounds of different eras into a perfect capstone on their career. From their introduction with Cutting Edge in 1994 to this year’s release of Kingdom of Comfort, Delirious? has always brought powerful music laced with their own special blend of ear-catching lyrics.

The 31 tracks on the Limited Edition of History Makers leans heavily on their first two releases, the double CD Cutting Edge and King of Fools, using 13 songs from those albums. The remaining 18 tracks blend their lesser heralded recordings (Mezzamorphis, Touch) with their recent successes (The Mission Bell, World Service, Kingdom of Comfort). Included is the mellow song Promise, which was released in the UK on Audio Lessonover but didn’t make the cut when that album became Touch in the US.

If you’re wanting the worship music that brought Delirious? to everyone’s attention, then you’ll enjoy the first CD of the two disc set. This disc includes I Could Sing of Your Love Forever and Shout To The North, two perennial members of the CCLI Top 100, the music most sung in churches. Also on the first disc is the namesake of the collection, History Maker, one of their best live songs and a staple of their concerts. The second disc features songs that gave Delirious? crossover appeal internationally, including Deeper, Inside Outside, and Every Little Thing.

One more bonus to the Limited Edition is the DVD which features all the videos Delirious? has produced over the years. These videos provide a fun look back at styles over the years. Their first video, Deeper, is obviously shot with little budget as compared to their last for Inside Outside.

If I had to pick things to not like about this collection, it would first be the lack of live music. While the studio recordings of their songs are great, they have an added dimension when performed live. Some of the best versions of songs like Rain Down and Solid Rock are the live ones. It’s a small thing, but something that stood out to me. Also, it would have been nice to have a new song or two thrown in with the collection, just as a nod to the longtime fans.

So, after 17 years of music and ministry, Delirious? is folding up their tent and moving on. For those of us who are fans of their music this is a bittersweet day, as no more Delirious? albums will be made. Unlike many secular bands, Delirious? isn’t stopping because of arguments or conflict, they are passing on to their next stage of life, raising children, and using the platform provided by their success to promote more charitable works.

Martin, Stu, Tim, Jon, Stew, and Paul: thanks for the memories, the music, and most of all, thanks for showing us all that church music doesn’t have to be stodgy and traditional. God bless in all your future endeavors. Oh, and understand we won’t complain if you decide to get back together every once in a while.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 15th, 2009 at 8:00 pm and is filed under Critical Mass, Writing Series. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.