Jumped Up Worship: Hillsong United & Addison Road

Hillsong United does rock ‘n’ roll worship. The youth arm of Hillsong Church in Castle Hill, Australia, this worship band kicks out the jams on their rock ‘n’ roll worship songs. Like Casting Crowns, Hillsong United is another incredibly talented band doing youth ministry at a church while also generating great recordings.

Look to You was recorded live at Encounterfest, a Hillsong conference, and the energy is palpable in your bouncing stereo speakers. “Salvation is Here” funks up a beat built on a bass guitar line and smashing drums that throw in some double-backbeat fills. “Tell the World” encourages you to share the faith while inviting you to dance in joy before the Lord (watch the bonus DVD).

Imagine perhaps if Switchfoot was leading worship at your church. They couldn’t just do their Switchfoot thing, because the songs aren’t always so easy for a congregation to sing together. However, Switchfoot wouldn’t be Switchfoot if they kept the worship music straight forward. Switchfoot is going to add rocking guitar, jamming sections of pure energy, and a crunchy funk to their arrangements.

That’s what you get with Hillsong United—at least until you hit the obligatory worship chorus ballads like “All for Love.” Then the energy drains out of the recording, and it’s a little tempting to think that they belong in the Adult Contemporary section instead of Alternative Rock. I actually like “All for Love,” but it reminds me that I’m listening to a worship service from a conference with visuals, context, Bible study, and a large group of people. Something about the rock ‘n’ roll worship energy is transferable, but that’s harder to do with the balladry.

Fortunately, “What the World Will Never Take” cranks up the electric guitars, showing that United maintains that jamming heart. Here’s hoping that a studio album might emerge where the band can focus on the rock ‘n’ roll side of things, giving the Christian music world something we desperately need: worship music that truly rocks. (However, the next slated release is another live album to be released in March).

Thanks to Hillsong United and Integrity Music for the review copy.


Indie Rock Worship: Addison Road
On a smaller scale, the indie band Addison Road is laying out some worshipful music that also jams. Their Always Loved You EP has the acoustic accouterments of the Sundays with some of the grooving wash of the Primitives. On “I Have Always Loved You,” there also some light Jam Band tones in the verses, while the dance rock rhythms mesh on the chorus.

Jenny Simmons’ lead vocals probably will garner comparisons to Jennifer Knapp, Lori Wilshire, Tricia and Melissa Brock (Superchic[k]), or Margaret Becker. Simmons definitely adds beauty and energy, but her clear voice that leads the way lends to the worship music quality to Addison Road’s sound.

“Rejoice” echoes Psalm 40 and other psalm language, and in many respects, the song acts like many worship songs that simply repeat Scripture or scriptural sounding phrases. However, “Rejoice” gets textural help from Jeff Sutton’s drums, a trap set rhythm that doesn’t let the worship chorus melody sit back on its heels.

If you are looking to bring a Christian band into your church or youth conference, you may love to bring in a big name, but there’s a small thing called a small budget that sometimes gets in the way. Depending on your location, Addison Road would be a great answer. Great musicianship, a mission to share the Word through music, an indie band looking for gigs. Say it with me now: support independent Christian artists! We will not be ruled by Nashville.

Thanks to Addison Road for the review copy.