Take a bluegrass blazing banjo and marry it with dance-synthetic keys and you just begun to describe the unique project that sixstepsrecords has released today with David Crowder. The title of Crowder's solo debut, Neon Steeple, expresses the fun fusion of sounds that is anything but formulaic. Crowder states, "Neon Steeple is a collection of songs and sounds looking forward to the past and counting the present as sacred. It is a longing for belonging, a search for home."
The lyrics of "I Am" came to Crowder as he was reflecting upon what a big moment in history it was when the name of God was revealed to the world. The lyrics, "I am holding on to you, In the middle of the storm, I am holding on, I Am," speak of the way God grasps on to his people even when they feel the most desperation, conveying a powerful message of hope. "Come As You Are" mixes upright piano leading the anthem, with a delay on the piano that pulls it into the ethereal backing vocals and synthesizer textures, inviting all to "lay down your hurt, lay down your heart, come as you are."
Following a string of songs that are blended with techno and folk, is the retro-country-gospel "Jesus Is Calling" and a tender duet featuring Emmylou Harris, "My Sweet Lord." "Here's My Heart " caps the project with a declaration of faith and surrender and the music is underscored with some beautiful cello. If you are looking to challenge your everyday palette of music styles, this album will do just that and perhaps bring something fresh in sound to your worship set list.
Neon Steeple / David Crowder
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