Home: R : Reuben Morgan : Review

World Through Your Eyes Review

Occasionally, you run into a modern worship album that makes you think the movement is starting to "get it." Generally, this involves a genuinely talented singer who is willing to put his own spin on things, original songs, and a band that can play rock and roll without giving in to the impulse of appealing to the adult contemporary crowd that makes of much of the CCM audience. Meet Reuben Morgan – he gets it.

Formerly of Hillsongs United, Morgan uses a few songs he originally penned for that organization, but his raspy vocals (think Shawn Mullins or Jars of Clay) give them a freshness that makes you give them a second listen, even if you've heard them a hundred times before. This is most apparent on songs like "My Redeemer Lives," and "Hear Our Praises," which is more in line with Coldplay or Keane.

There is something to be said for an artist who can take simple poetry and make a song memorable by the sheer talent of his vocals. "Gloria" is a prime example of this:

Bright is the sun
That wakens my heart
To sing of all you've done
Beautiful song
You've sung over me
That draws me in your love.

"Waterfall," sung in a breathy, Jars of Clay style vocal, is another highlight, while "The Fear" is a plea to God for help in weathering rocky situations. Morgan uses a theme of surrender to God throughout the entire disc, and that is most obvious on the latter.
My expectation of this album? A couple of radio hits, a lot of these songs being performed in churches nationwide, and widespread acclaim for Reuben Morgan. Twenty- and thirty-something fans of John Mayer, Coldplay, and Jars of Clay will be drawn to World Through Your Eyes.

Review by: Brian A. Smith 8/1/2005, tollbooth.org