Christy Nockels has been an integral part of the United States Passion conferences since their beginning in 1997.
Writing and singing many of the songs on the highly successful Passion albums, Christy has made a name for herself next to the likes of Chris Tomlin and Matt Redman.
Produced by Christy’s husband Nathan, Into The Glorious is a new worship album full of strong songs.
It’s not the first time this husband and wife team have released music together as Nathan and Christy were previously known as Watermark – a duo that released four successful albums.
Into The Glorious follows Christy’s 2009 solo debut Life Light Up. The 12 tracks contained on the new recording don’t contain any surprises, but they are a delight to listen to.
The album opens with the upbeat, pop, hand clap, acoustic, beat driven Ever Lifting. It has a great country/folk vibe to it, but sadly, the follow up For Your Splendor slows everything down, sapping the earlier energy.
A simple acoustic guitar combined with light drumming allow Christy’s voice to shine through. The song is about the singer's desire to grow up “strong and beautiful all for your splendor, Lord”.
Wonderful continues the slow pace. “Jesus you are so wonderful” is hardly the most original opening lyric, but the beautiful chorus more than makes up for the weaker observations in the verses.
The title track is next. The arrangement is decisive and the vocals confident. It’s a little more upbeat, but the album still feels like it’s dragging.
Waiting Here For You is a song that has already done the rounds, appearing on everything from the latest Passion album to Martin Smith’s first solo EP. But this studio recording is the best version of the song released so far.
Sing Along is one of the catchiest songs on the album. Like the majority of the 12 songs, it’s understated and quiet, but a careful listener will be rewarded as the depth of music and lyrics on display from the worship leader capture the imagination.
Love Can Build a Bridge is one of the less typical songs on the album. Featuring a gospel choir, the repetition of the simple chorus is powerful and moving.
Healing Is In Your Hands is the best example of Christy’s vocal talent as the singer holds the high notes with both energy and sensitivity. The instrumentation is minimal yet effective.
How I Love You is a great closing song. Building from a simple acoustic song to a closing top-of-the-voice declaration, the track invites the listener to join in singing praise.
While Into The Glorious is full of good songs, as a whole the recording struggles to really get going. A promising opener fails to give to birth to other upbeat songs.
Is Christy’s second solo album a chilled reflective one that is best suited and saved for quiet times of devotion, or does it contain songs that although full of potential, struggle to make a lasting impact? The answer is most likely, ‘both’.
Rating: 7 out of 10
May 8th, 2012 - Posted & Written by Sam Hailes
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