A review by Greg McCallum

Host of “Sundown,” and “The Faith FM Top 20 Countdown”

on Faith FM 94.3 “Your Christian Voice, Your Christian Music”

www.myspace.com/sundown943

Critical Mass “Celebrate” – August 2006

        So often when rock groups put out “Worship” records, which seems to be the “In” thing right now, what ends up happening is the band takes the songs and just plays them word for word, bar for bar.  There are a few exceptions to this observation.  Kutless’ “Strong Tower,” and both of the Newsboys worship CD are fantastic because they take worship songs and do them with a Kutless or Newsboys flavor. 

        This is just what has happened with the latest offering (no pun intended) from Critical Mass.  Their latest effort is a new worship record. 

        First of all, the one thing that I was most impressed was the song selection on this record, when was the last time you heard a new rock act doing such classic worship songs as “Awesome God,” “Open the Eyes of My Heart,” and “Trading My Sorrows.”  There was a great mix of original music, modern worship and these classic tracks. 

        Secondly the fan interaction is really what makes this record.  This band really knows how to make their fans feel like they are a part of the show.  Some times when a band puts out a live record, there doesn’t sound like the fans are interested at all, here however fans were invited to worship and sing right along with the band.  Tracks like “Blessed Be Your Name,” and “Awesome God,” are great examples of this. 

        The thing I think I liked most about this record was the fact that Critical Mass took well known worship songs and made them their own.  It is one thing to just rehash someone else’s songs, but it is a mark of musical maturity when you can bring your signature sound to songs that people recognize and make them even better.  This is great worship record with a classic Critical Mass sound. 

        I was also impressed with the two simple but powerful original studio tracks.  Critical Mass certain knows how to lead their audience into a place of intimate worship with God, and make it fun at the same time. 

        This is a record for fans of the previously mentioned Kutless and Newsboys worship records.  In fact, two highlights of “Celebrate” are covers of The Newsboys “Not Ashamed,” and perhaps one of the best versions I have ever heard of “It Is You.”  Critical Mass has a lot to offer with “Celebrate.”  It is a worship record not to be passed by.